I spent the past fifteen years teaching science to grades 9-12 in a busy public high school. I have seen firsthand how so many students struggle with the material, often unnecessarily. To fight this I would do my best to use lessons that were approachable and simplified while still on grade level. Students cannot be passive learners, they must engage with the material actively. This means taking some time to get to know each student and discovering how they best process new material. ...
I spent the past fifteen years teaching science to grades 9-12 in a busy public high school. I have seen firsthand how so many students struggle with the material, often unnecessarily. To fight this I would do my best to use lessons that were approachable and simplified while still on grade level. Students cannot be passive learners, they must engage with the material actively. This means taking some time to get to know each student and discovering how they best process new material. This is why I enjoy working with students one-on-one through tutoring.
Prior to teaching I worked as a laboratory scientist for several years. I have experience in clinical labs, research labs, and manufacturing facilities performing quality control. This experience allows me to talk to the kids about what working in science is like, and to give real life examples of when the skills they are learning would be needed. This real-world connection can break the illusion that science is something that only happens in school.
I recognize that many students struggle with science in particular because of the potentially intensive vocabulary. I start each new lesson by deconstructing the vocabulary, using simple definitions, and checking for comprehension prior to moving forward. I have worked with students of all ability levels, so I can recognize different learning styles.
