Leslie has taught biology at a Sandia
High School here in Albuquerque, NM for the last 3 years. Bob Smith was a struggling
student in biology, failing to maintain passing grades at another local high
school. His family moved so he transferred to Sandia HS. Lucky for him he was
placed in Ms. Christner’s class.
Bob explains how “She took time
out of her lunch periods to help me as the new student catch up and actually
understand the material I was failing at before. She just had a way of
explaining things so the whole class got it and wanted to learn more. We always
did these crazy cool experiments and dissections and stuff that make bio so
interesting.” Bob is planning on going to Colorado University next year and
majoring in biology.
The principle, Clair Benet, of
Sandia HS was thrilled that one of her teachers is being given such an honor. Benet
said of Christner, “It is amazing how she is able to relate the lessons to the
students and get them so excited about biology and science in general.”
Christner started an
environmental club at Sandia which gets students involved in educating fellow
students and the public about environmental conscious practices. Jane Blair, a
member of the Environmental Club, claims that “We have been able to get
recycling bins placed in all he classrooms throughout the school thanks to Ms.
Christner’s guidance.” Another member, John Doe, said “She really has inspired
us to learn more about environmental issues and get involved in the fight for
environmental change in our community.”
When we caught up with Christner
she said “It is such an honor to receive such a prestigious award. I am so
overwhelmed.” She went into teaching to share her passion for science. It is
clear from her past students’ involvement and passion in science that she has
accomplished what she set out to do and will do so for many years to come.
Passion, commitment, creativity, coordination and correlation to community involvement, motivated students and a special recycling project well placed perspectives. I especially like your comments related to taking extra time out of your time to help the students learn.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the award is it true they will be forgiving your loans as part of the honor?
Very well portrayed and a piece that exemplifies the idea of taking the road less traveled. Too many of my teachers were out the door before the first bus left the school. Like the energy and the extra time and effort part. Passion in a subject is vital, and students thrive on that passion. You got my vote!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of the environmental club and you helping your students while educating them about things that there might not be time for in the curriculum. As a potential science teacher, I get excited about experiments and dissections and weird pots of goo to investigate. We got to play with DNA electophoresis in my bio class in school, that was my favorite lesson. Seeing things first hand really makes an impression and helps make the concepts tangible. I am sure you will do just that, make learning fun and maybe save the Earth while you are doing it!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of an environmental club too. Escpecially having a science teacher start/sponsor it. It becomes a great tool for making science relevent to their lives.
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