Teachable Moments

Last summer, I met Melissa Shandroff, Chairperson of the Science Department at Hasting High School, at a summer workshop hosted in the school District. While sitting with her group, I learned that she had grown the Science Research program from one course to three courses. This was amazing but as I listened to her talk about the program to her colleagues, I understood why and wished that I had a science teacher like her when I was in high school. According to her students, Melissa Shandroff is an inspiring educator who makes science exciting. She has a way of drawing in curious minds and motivating them to investigate a topic in science that they have a deep interest in exploring and sharing their research with others. Recently, one of her students entered her research into a contest, won, and was awarded $5,000.

Teachable Moments is a podcast about teachers and what led them into the profession. While teaching was the hardest job that I have ever had, it was a career that I loved. I didn’t enter my undergraduate studies considering a career in teaching. Some people know very early in their lives that they are going to become a teacher. Others, like me, explored other careers first before becoming a teacher. Through conversations with teachers in the school District, I explore their journey into the profession by examining why they became a teacher, the impact that teaching has had on them, and a memorable moment involving something that a student said or did that still makes you smile.