Teacher Appreciation Week: Biology Teacher Spotlight
Teachers. Are. Freaking. AMAZING.
Let me give you 10 quick reasons why:
- We have the biggest hearts
- We inspire the next generation of scientists
- We can multitask like no other profession
- We are really good at listening to our kiddos
- We have eyes in the back of our heads (seriously)
- We put others’ needs before our own
- We show up with energy and enthusiasm, even for boring lessons (*cough* macromolecules *cough*)
- We can read a room as soon as we walk in
- We support our kids, colleagues, and families
- We never stop trying to help our students
Seriously – teachers are superstars. And the impact of the work that YOU do cannot be overstated.
Now, as you may know, Teacher Appreciation Day 2024 is on Tuesday May 7th, as part of Teacher Appreciation Week from May 6-10th.
I would like to honor you all by shining a spotlight on a handful of amazing biology teachers.
These ladies are inspirational, and I want to say THANK YOU to them, and to every single one of you reading this!
Without further ado, our Biology Teacher Spotlight number 1 is…
Christina, Westlake, OH
When did you start teaching?
2004.
Why did you decide to become a teacher?
I started off in corporate America after college. When I was looking into a career change, it always came back to instruction of some sort. It made sense to look into teaching! So, I went back and received my teaching license and have been in the classroom ever since!
Why do you think it’s important to teach your students about Biology?
Mainly, it’s LIFE! It’s literally all around us.
What is your favorite lesson or unit to teach?
I love genetics and microbiology!
What has been your biggest achievement this year?
Seeing my sophomores finally able to synthesize information and look for context clues within their reviews for the State tests!
I love this – Biology IS life! Thank you Christina for sharing 🧡
Chantel, TX
When did you start teaching?
2007.
Why did you decide to become a teacher?
After graduating college with my BS Biology degree I went home to visit an old coach and mentor who convinced me to apply for a teacher position. He thought I would be a great fit to give back and work in the community that helped me become a successful student.
Why do you think it’s important to teach your students about Biology?
I think Biology is a pivotal piece that gives students a foundation in Science. Biology brings everything full circle for the students’ understanding of life and how things work.
What is your favorite lesson or unit to teach?
DNA.
What has been your biggest achievement this year?
My biggest achievement this year is being selected as Teacher of the Year by my colleagues, students and the administration staff on our campus.
Huge congratulations on Teacher of the Year Chantal, that is an amazing achievement and your students are lucky to have you ❤️
Laurel, Rowan County, NC
When did you start teaching?
2011.
Why did you decide to become a teacher?
I was initially interested in working at a science museum and teaching informally, but then had the opportunity to join a teaching program. I had always loved learning as a student.
Why do you think it’s important to teach your students about Biology?
Some topics in Biology are important to learn to be an informed citizen. It also allows students to learn more about how living things (such as themselves!) function day-to-day.
What is your favorite lesson or unit to teach?
I like teaching DNA and Protein Synthesis because there is a right answer and the students feel so proud of themselves once they get it.
What has been your biggest achievement this year?
I seemed to successfully teach Molecular Biology this year, which has been a struggle in the past. My students also achieved 79% proficient on the NC End of Course (EOC) exam this semester.
Thank you Laurel – I totally agree that teaching DNA and Protein Synthesis is super satisfying once it clicks with students! Thanks for sharing 💙
Katherine, TX
When did you start teaching?
2003.
Why did you decide to become a teacher?
When I returned home from the military I did not have a job. A friend of mine at church had asked if I was interested in teaching at the private school she worked at. From there, I began to teach and quickly fell in love with the profession. Honestly, it was a job to put food on the table and pay the rent, but as I continued to teach it became so much more to me.
Why do you think it’s important to teach your students about Biology?
When I teach biology I also like to teach from the perspective of appreciating the world around you. It’s important for students to understand the way this living world works and the impact we have day to day and for future generations. Biology teaches students about the things they really don’t notice in their daily lives. When my students ask me how they will use this in the real world, I simply say, to understand and educate yourselves will give you a better understanding of why things happen the way they do.
What is your favorite lesson or unit to teach?
I love teaching about genetics and ecosystems.
What has been your biggest achievement this year?
Making it this far into the school year without quitting! Lol. Teachers are frustrated and teachers are tired and I’ve seen teachers, even at my own school, leave the profession simply because they just can’t do the job anymore. Despite all of the stress and frustration I have had, I continue to push forward, stay in prayer and listen to God when he talks.
Well done Katherine, it is such a tough time to be a teacher and we are so grateful for the work that you do 💜
Krystal, Hunt County, TX
When did you start teaching?
2003.
Why did you decide to become a teacher?
I know this sounds silly and like everyone else – I wanted to help. I could not decide between being a lawyer or a teacher. I spent the summer with the District Attorney and realized I could only help one person at a time and even then, there was already a lot of damage done. In teaching I could help them earlier and reach more students than just one at a time. So I became a teacher to help students grow and learn.
Why do you think it’s important to teach your students about Biology?
So they can have an understanding about their body and the world around them.
What is your favorite lesson or unit to teach?
I like teaching about structure and function of cell organelles. (I like to take the shell off the egg and show them how the membrane of the egg will allow some things to pass through it).
What has been your biggest achievement this year?
I have watched my students start understanding how to utilize their strategies and start asking for help.
Thank you Krystal, it is so rewarding when our students trust us enough to ask for help – you are doing a wonderful job! 💛
Annette, Los Angeles, CA
When did you start teaching?
2002.
Why did you decide to become a teacher?
The signs were all around me since the beginning. From teaching my neighborhood friends different things, to helping my teacher dad in the summer with his students with special needs, to coaching various sports, to leading tours, EVERYONE told me I should be a teacher. I ignored it for many years until I finally couldn’t and changed my career to teaching. I made the right choice.
Why do you think it’s important to teach your students about Biology?
Biology is life – pure and simple. I tie my curriculum to the students’ daily lives to get them hooked into the importance of biology. It’s always changing as we are always learning more and more. How can it NOT be important?!
What is your favorite lesson or unit to teach?
I love teaching Punnett squares. I always use my family as examples for traits (I tell them my stupid brother got the green eyes) and how important diversity is. It truly is a gift.
What has been your biggest achievement this year?
This year I was able to have even more hands on activities than ever before, in part with time-saving doodle notes from Emmatheteachie!
Thank you for the shout-out Annette, it sounds like you were made for teaching, and your students are so lucky you took up this profession! 💚
Thank you to every single teacher out there!
I hope you enjoyed getting to know some of the amazing biology teachers in our community. Teacher Appreciation Week is a great opportunity to reflect on the importance of the work that teachers do, day in and day out.
And so I want to say a final thank you to YOU.
You are recognized for the work you do, you are appreciated by every student who is lucky enough to be in your classroom (whether they tell you or not), and you are doing an awesome job.
Thank you!
If you have a teacher friend you appreciate, send them this blog post and share the teacher love 💗
I hope you have a wonderful teacher appreciation week,
P.S. There are lots of great deals out there to celebrate teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week! Check out this blog post on dontpayfull.com to see some offers.
