Joyful Biology

"Reflections While Gardening" is published on the National Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY) website .

The Gallup Student poll measures “the hope, engagement, and wellbeing of public school students in grades 5 through 12 across the United States.” Brian Busteed, Gallup Education’s Executive Director, told attendees at the Education Commission of the States National Forum yesterday that in their 2013 poll, Gallup learned that student engagement drops through the secondary years. This alarming statistic was accompanied by another, perhaps more chilling data set: educators are similarly disengaged. Of all professionals, teachers are the least likely to say, “At work, my opinions seem to count.” Finally, Busteed delivered the correlative piece that brought it all together: Students who strongly agreed with two statements, “My school is committed to building the strengths of each student,” and “I have at least one teacher who makes me excited about the future,” were thirty times more likely to be engaged in school than those who do not. That’s a 3,000% increase in student engagement. ...

As a teacher in a Title 1 school that prides itself on our 100% college acceptance rate, I'm immersed in a teacher culture obsessed with college access for all. What makes it possible for a student to be the first in her family to go to college? What experiences break down barriers and open doors? Last week, Inver Hills Community College provided my AP Biology and Accelerated Biology students with an experience that broke barriers like Chuck Yeager's rocket-powered aircraft. Inver Hills Community College provost Christina Royal greeted us in a lecture hall, where students heard a private 90-minute talk on the history of major genetic findings. Professor Bob Iwan gave a an engaging talk that allowed time for student questions. Best of all, Professor Iwan gave the students note catchers that tracked his PowerPoint with critical thinking prompts. Our history-obsessed students got a lot to think about - why was Gregor Mendel so meticulous in his scientific methodology? Ho...

Last May, I was stunned and humbled when 2012 Minnesota Teacher Jackie Roehl announced me as her successor. A bleary 36 hours of media blitz followed, and when the dust settled, I found myself on a ship that had set out to sea. Now, ten months later, the ship is starting to head back home – I’ll announce my successor May 4th – and I return changed. Becoming Minnesota Teacher of the Year happened gradually, in fits and starts. My first speaking engagement at St. Mary’s in Winoma was a wake-up call – it was the first time I’d stood before college students with the responsibility to inspire them into the teaching profession. A lull followed – and I almost forgot I was on the ship. But then I hit a storm. After I spoke out about poverty, teacher character, and democracy at our statewide teacher conference this fall, the Tea Party picked up my speech and reacted bitterly. Education Minnesota helped me to respond to media attention in a way that kept the conversation supportive of p...