Tag Archives: Science Teachers

Science teacher Mary Appelhof, the “Worm Woman”

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High school science teacher Mary Appelhof, known as “Worm Woman,” earned recognition for developing the practice of vermicomposting.

Many talented classroom teachers become recognized specialists in their specific field of study. One of these educators is Mary Arlene Appelhof, a science teacher from Michigan, who became well-known for developing the practice of vermicomposting.

Mary was born on June 11, 1936, in Detroit, Michigan. As a young woman, she attended Berea High School in Berea, Ohio, where she graduated in 1954. Following her high school graduation, she enrolled in Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology in 1958. The following year she earned her Master’s degree in Biology there. She later earned a Master’s degree in Education and completed advanced courses in biology.

After earning her degrees, Mary taught science courses at Kalamazoo Central High School in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She also taught at Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, Michigan.

In the early 1970s, Mary experimented with “vermicomposting,” a system using worms to recycle food waste into fertilizer. To spread the practice, she developed lessons for her students and home gardeners. She also talked to garden clubs, and exhibited at harvest festivals, barter fairs, and energy expos. She became a vocal advocate for protecting the environment when she served on solid waste planning committees. These efforts led others to nickname her the “Worm Woman.” For her work, the innovative teacher garnered a grant from the National Science Foundation to videotape her experiments. With footage developed with the money from the grant, she produced an educational video entitled Wormania! You can learn more about the practice of vermicomposing at Mary’s website, Worm Woman.com.

This amazing educator passed away on May 4, 2005. She was 68 years old. She is interred in Benzonia Township Cemetery. In 2009, the National Women’s History Project honored Mary Appelhof as a Women’s History Month Honoree.

Two beloved educators lost in California diving boat accident

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Angela Quitasol, a seventh-grade science teacher from Stockton, California, perished in The Conception diving boat accident on Labor Day.

For the second time this week, the educational community is mourning the loss of not one, but two, valued members of the profession. Both perished on board the commercial diving boat, The Conception. On Labor Day, the boat caught fire and sank off the coast of Santa Cruz Island in California.

Angela Quitasol, a seventh-grade science teacher from Stockton, California, was killed in the accident. Angela’s two sisters, her father, and her stepmother were also among the 34 total individuals lost.

Angela grew up in Stockton, California. As a young girl, she attended Sierra Middle School in the Lincoln Unified School District. After earning her teaching degree, she returned to her home town. There she accepted a teaching position at her alma mater. She taught there for four years.

“For Angela, students were her focus,” recalled Patty Kelley, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent. “She shared her passion for science with them and greeted them every day with a high five and a bright smile.” Angela was just 28 years old.

High school physics teacher Raymond “Scott” Chan of Fremont, California, was also killed in the diving boat fire.

The other educator lost in the accident was Raymond “Scott” Chan, a high school science teacher from Los Altos, California. Scott had just begun his third year of teaching Advanced Placement Physics at American High School in the Fremont Unified School District. He was 59 years old. Also lost was his 26-year-old daughter, Kendra, a marine biologist.

Scott worked as an electrical engineer in Silicon Valley for 20 years before going into the teaching profession. He earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Stanford University. He earned his teaching credential from Santa Clara University. Before coming to Fremont, Scott taught at Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo, Carlmont High School in Belmont, and Cupertino High School in Cupertino.

“His students knew him to be an innovative and inspiring teacher who developed a passion for physics among his students,” reads a statement from officials of Fremont Schools. “His loss is a tremendous tragedy for our school district.”

Scott’s former student Connor Vo agrees. “Definitely one of my favorite teachers,” the young man said. “Physics is really hard for people, but I think he tried to make it interesting for everyone. I don’t know, I just like teachers that try their best and really care about their students,” Connor concluded.

We will miss you, Angela and Scott.

Read more about the tragic accident at this online website for ABC 7 News.

 

Educator, astronomer, and US Navy Rear Admiral Simon Newcomb

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Astronomer and US Navy Rear Admiral Simon Newcomb began his career as a rural schoolteacher in Maryland.

Many fine educators have also earned a stellar reputation in professions other than education. One of these is Simon Newcomb, a Maryland school teacher who became a Rear Admiral in the US Navy and an internationally-recognized expert in astronomy.

Simon Newcomb was born on March 12, 1835, in Wallace, Nova Scotia. His father, an American, was an itinerant schoolteacher. Even as a young child, Simon demonstrated an unusual ability for mathematics. When he was just 16, Simon was apprenticed to an herbalist in Salisbury, New Brunswick, but the intelligent teen quickly came to the conclusion that the man was a charlatan. Simon ran away and made his way back to his family, which by then had settled in rural Maryland. The young man inaugurated his career as a teacher there, and at the same time studied mathematics and astronomy in nearby Washington, DC.

In January, 1857, Simon moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he accepted a position with the American Ephemeris and Nautical Almanac. The organization published a handbook for astronomers. While working there, Simon enrolled at he Lawrence Scientific School at Harvard University. He earned his degree in 1858. Three years later, Simon became a commissioned officer in the US Navy. He became a professor of mathematics for the Navy, and was assigned to the US Naval Observatory in Washington, DC. In this position, Simon’s work was to find and correct errors made in calculating the positions and motions of various celestial bodies. He was also responsible for negotiating a contract to build a new 26-inch telescope at the Naval Observatory. The telescope was completed in 1873.

In 1877, Simon was promoted to the rank of captain. He was also promoted to the position of Senior Mathematics Professor in the Navy and Superintendent of the American Nautical Almanac Office. In this position, the honored educator revised motion theory and position tables for all major celestial bodies in the solar system. This published work, which took 20 years to complete and became the standard reference both at home an abroad, is still in use today. During this period Simon led several field expeditions, including one to the Saskatchewan region in 1860 to observe an eclipse of the sun. He also traveled to Gibralter in 1870 to observe the solar eclipse there, and to the Cape of Good Hope in 1882, where he observed and charted the Venus transit that took place that year.

By 1884, Simon had been named a contributing editor of the American Journal of Mathematics. In addition, he was selected to be a professor of mathematics and astronomy at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. In 1896, he traveled to Paris as the leader of an international astronomy conference. In 1899, Simon founded the American Astronomical Society. He served as the organization’s president for six years.

For his work in the fields of mathematics and astronomy, Simon Newcomb earned many accolades and honorary degrees, both national and international. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences. He also published more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific papers.

This exceptional educator and scientist passed away in Washington, DC, on July 11, 1909. He is interred in Arlington Cemetery. To learn more about Simon Newcomb, you can read his biography at this link for the Encyclopedia Britannica.

When remembering veterans, think of Colorado science teacher Daniel Ganoza

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On Memorial Day, we salute Colorado science teacher and US veteran Daniel Ganoza.

There are many excellent examples of Americans who have served in the military, and then have gone on to stellar careers as educations. One of these is Daniel Ganoza. He spent years in the US Air Force before he became a science teacher at Woodland Park High School in Woodland Park, a suburb located west of Colorado Springs, Colorado. The former soldier teaches courses in environmental science, biology, and global science. He also coaches basketball there.

Daniel says the military mindset is very useful in the classroom. “In the Air Force everyone is valuable to the mission,” he observes. “You have no choice in training them the best you can. The mission depends on it, and your reputation as a leader depends on your folks knowing their job,” he continues. Daniel should know.  As a retired lieutenant colonel, he spent 22 years in the Air Force, with 13 deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Bosnia, and Haiti.

The dedicated educator graduated from the Air Force Academy. When he concluded his military service, Daniel found his way into the classroom through a government program entitled Troops to Teachers. The program prepares military veterans for teaching careers.

“Kids just want someone to think they are important and care for them,” asserts Daniel. “Sometimes, all it takes is for just one person to believe in you and you can do anything — you can do the impossible. I’m not sure if I’ve ever been that one person for any of my students, but I strive to be,” he concludes.

For his efforts in the classroom, Daniel earned the 2018 Secondary Excellence in Teaching Award from the Colorado Association of Science Teachers. The award recognizes excellence in teaching in preschool through college classrooms throughout the state.

Thank you for your service in the military, and for your service in the classroom, Daniel!

If you would like to read an interview with Daniel, click on this link from Chalkbeat.

Honoring Henry Alvin Cameron, American WWI Veteran

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During this weekend’s Memorial Day observances, I am reminded that many our our nation’s educators are also veterans. One of my favorite Chalkboard Heroes is Henry Alvin Cameron, a high school science teacher from Nashville, Tennessee. He was not only a leader in the African American community in the early days of the 20th century, but he was also a veteran of World War I. Below is a digital story I created to tell you more about this heroic historical figure.