All USA teachers

[DrPizza]

USA today, page 6D
Teacher #5 Scott Jordan

Cuba-Rushford Central School, Cuba, NY
Science, fisheries & wildlife grades 8-12
Years full-time teaching: 14
Nominated by: Barbara Funk, principal
He: Spawned the idea of a fish hatchery and wildlife research center on a small rural campus; launched in 1996 with fundraisers, borrowed heavy equipment and hundreds of volunteer laborers. Won $325,000 in grants for student-run programs (www.crcs.wnyric.org): "Animals are the educational hooks. Hands-on learning increases understanding of math, science, technology, meteorology, physics, chemistry, social studies, and writing."
Maintains focus in three areas: Salmon, in which underwater splash cameras in Alaskan streams -- documenting traffic flow, stock identification counts, stream carrying capacities and escapement -- transmit images to the school's computer server; Whitetail deer, in which students capture, collar and track the deer; and Alaskan wilderness in which students track bears, moose, caribou and wolves through satellite telemetry in Denali National Park
Organized and help raise funds for a hunting trip to New Zealand and quarterbacks the district's Envirothon competition, 10 time regional champions. Has students teach scuba-diving classes so upperclassmen can dive into the research pond; underwater cameras allow students to view fish over the internet. Technology coordinator Paul Austin marvels: "He teaches for life, not just a specific test."

And people have asked me why I transfered my students to this school and am moving into this school district. (I am also a teacher here)

 

[PanzerIV]

I don't get it. Are you Scott Jordan or are you saying because they have quality faculty and programs mentioned in the nomination you adore the school?

 

[SagaLore]

That is how kids should be taught. Make learning fun and rewarding. I've sat through way too many classes in high school where the approach is "here, write this in your notebook, memorize, study, spit answers back out on the test, and forget the rest of your life".

That environmental approach sounds great. I've read how other schools also run Robotics programs, which in turn motivates students to learn mechanics, programming, math, problem solving, etc.

There is so much we can do to improve our education system. Not just throwing money at the problem - the whole method needs renovated.

 

[amdskip]

Wow, that sounds really cool. I wouldn't mind experiencing that myself. Pretty sure he is not Scott Jordan.

 

[PanzerIV]

Originally posted by: amdskip
Wow, that sounds really cool. I wouldn't mind experiencing that myself. Pretty sure he is not Scott Jordan.

Yeah, I am sure you are right or he wouldn't have noted he was a teacher there rather than saying the article was about his efforts at the school.

 

[DrPizza]

Nope, I'm not Scott.
I teach in a similar way for science, but don't have any huge programs going on yet.
I've considered going on a trip with them to Denali one of these summers.
The science I teach is physics. A month into the course, I don't think the students have more than 2 or 3 pages of notes - it's hard to take notes while you're busy doing things (rather than sitting there) - but the students are doing the things and learning from doing, rather than writing notes, and learning from reading their notes and the book. I do all I can to make the course entertaining to them as well. (entertaining keeps them interested) We did "Simpson's physics" earlier this week: Homer at the Bat - Homer yells "I got it" and Darryl Strawberry jumps in front of him and catches the ball. He goes completely off the screen, you hear the ball caught, then he comes back down. Question for students to figure out: How high did DS jump??

It would have taken me just as long to have them open to "page 62 of the physics book, problem 3. A marble is shot vertically. It is in the air for 8 seconds. How high did it go?" as it did to just play the video a few times, give them stop watches, and watch them try to figure it out. Much more fun with the Simpsons. (D'oh!)

 

[Kyteland]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
Nope, I'm not Scott.
I teach in a similar way for science, but don't have any huge programs going on yet.
I've considered going on a trip with them to Denali one of these summers.
The science I teach is physics. A month into the course, I don't think the students have more than 2 or 3 pages of notes - it's hard to take notes while you're busy doing things (rather than sitting there) - but the students are doing the things and learning from doing, rather than writing notes, and learning from reading their notes and the book. I do all I can to make the course entertaining to them as well. (entertaining keeps them interested) We did "Simpson's physics" earlier this week: Homer at the Bat - Homer yells "I got it" and Darryl Strawberry jumps in front of him and catches the ball. He goes completely off the screen, you hear the ball caught, then he comes back down. Question for students to figure out: How high did DS jump??

It would have taken me just as long to have them open to "page 62 of the physics book, problem 3. A marble is shot vertically. It is in the air for 8 seconds. How high did it go?" as it did to just play the video a few times, give them stop watches, and watch them try to figure it out. Much more fun with the Simpsons. (D'oh!)

Oh, oh, take me insetad!
*grumble* kids getting to do cool stuff *grumble*