In the Classroom

Kelley Voss, Ph D., Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Pasadena City College

Posted on November 8th, 2022

“I have the honor to return to my community college roots as a tenure-track instructor at Pasadena City College. I am really enjoying the innovative initiatives happening in my department. It’s a very full circle moment in my career!”

We’re always thrilled to see how many community colleges use Shape of Life resources in their biology classes. That, among many other things, is what makes Kelley so interesting to us. Not only did Kelley develop her love of marine biology at Sacramento City College (SCC), but it’s also where she became enamored with octopuses.

 

Stanton Belford, Associate Professor, Marine Scientist, and Founder of Marine Nostalgia

Posted on May 24th, 2022

“We explore, we look, we smile.” these are much more than the introductory words to Stanton’s video. They are Stanton’s approach to life. One can’t help but smile when listening to Stanton’s rich Trinidadian voice describe his experiences conducting marine research with students in the reefs in Grande L’Anse, Trinidad.

Sandy Bean, Former Middle School Teacher and Founder of The Bean Center for Gifted Students

Posted on March 14th, 2022

“Science is like playing! It’s hands-on and fun. It has the capacity to explore places you’ve never been, help or heal and lose yourself in the process. My very first mock lesson in teaching school was about states of matter. I used chocolate as my medium,” laughs Sandy.

Learn more about Sandy’s imaginative and engaging approach to teaching science and  gifted kids. And, don't forget to check out the excellent Coral Reef Lesson Plan that Sandy prepared for Shape of Life.

Alexis (Ali) Osgood, Salinas High School

Posted on December 10th, 2021

Getting Messy with Ms. O’Frizzle

“I encourage my students to roll up their shirt sleeves and GET MESSY! Make mistakes. Ask lots of questions. Biology can be dirty business,” said Ali. “If you’re not getting messy you’re just not having fun.”

Learn more about how Ali became Ms. O’Frizzle and one of our most engaging community members on Shape of Life social media.

Shannon Hudson, Crawfordsville, IN, Crawfordsville Middle School

Posted on August 23rd, 2021

“I was always playing outside as a kid in Alabama. This definitely influenced my curiosity in science. I had an unending desire to investigate how the natural world works.”   

                                                -Shannon Hudson,

Crawfordsville Middle School, IN

 

Discover more about how Shannon helps her students investigate their world

Erin Rempala, San Diego City College

Posted on May 7th, 2021
Climbing to the top of Sokehs Rock in Pohnpei, FSM

I would say spending lots and lots of time in nature as a child influenced me most in pursuing science,” said Erin Rempala who teaches Environmental Science & Sustainability, Marine Biology and Oceanography at San Diego City College.

If it includes outside adventure, Erin is all IN!

Timothy Rosario, Pyramid Lake High School

Posted on April 15th, 2021

“I want to give my students tools. Not tools so they can get through the content of my class. Content is great, but only if it serves the more important principles that preserve health and the natural world.”

Discover how Tim Rosario blends science education with the sacred stories of Paiute Tribal People (Numu) and their reverence for the earth at Pyramid Lake High School on the Paiute Tribes’ Reservation.

Anand Patel, PhD, Science Department Co-Chair, Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences

Posted on February 2nd, 2021

Boundaries?! What Boundaries?

Anand Patel is the type of science teacher who easily crosses cultural, social and generational boundaries in his approach to teaching. Anand teaches to the part in each of us that meets in the natural world- rather than the places that may divide us.