Advanced Placement (AP) Environmental Science teacher Ms. Teed has created a positive and fun learning environment for all students.  Teed has been teaching for 16 years total, but has been at the school for seen of those years.

Q: What events led you to become a teacher?

A: “I had really good teachers that I really liked and I really loved learning. When I was initially going into college, I was going to focus on geological oceanography but that would’ve required a significant amount of schooling so I kind of pivoted and went into education first but always kind of leaving that open if I wanted to do something else in more of a different sector of science, but that’s kind of how that shift happened.”

Q: What is the most rewarding part of being a teacher? 

A: “Because I teach upperclassmen, I get to see them start to move on to the next phase of either their education or job career, so I like to see them kind of make that educational progression and then I get to hear their stories when they come back and tell me how they’re doing.”

Q: What is the impact you wish to have on your students?

A: “I feel like the content that I teach right now is very practical, it kind of involves some of the heavy topics that you guys are gonna be dealing with now that you move into adulthood, so I would like you guys to take what you’re learning and these skills, and kind of keep learning more about them and keep using that information to dig deeper and learn the science behind the news. I want you to understand that you can’t always hear everything we say on the news.”

Q: What are some of the lessons you’ve learned throughout your time teaching at the school? 

A: “Patience and kindness is key.”

Q: What strategies do you use to create a positive classroom environment?

A: “I think it’s those two things, patience and kindness. Understanding that all individuals are going through something. Learning is important and it’s fundamental which is why we’re all here. We all have to understand that life is also happening for people at the same time so any way that I can support a student and help them foster that love for education is kind of my focus.”