Featured Teacher: Patricia Jimenez

by WIRED Science Education     Department: Featured Teacher

If you know a high school teacher who really knows how to motivate students to learn about science, email us why they should become our next Featured Teacher.

My name is Patricia Jimenez and I have now been teaching for 10 years.  I started teaching at Bell Gardens High School in the city of Bell Gardens, in California.  I attended the University of California at Irvine and majored in Biology.  Go Anteaters!!!!

I have been teaching Coordinated Science since I started and then followed up by offering Advanced Placement Environmental Science (APES).  Coordinated Science is a 9th or 10th grade science class which covers all the disciplines in one full year. I also have been the advisor for our Environmentalist Club for about 7 years.

I love my kids!!  I believe I get the best students every year, as if they have been hand-picked.  I didn't major, minor or specialize in Environmental Science, however, even in the Coordinated Science classes, I feel I have to tie in our wonderful, beautiful and fragile mother Earth.

I have tried to encourage my students to appreciate their environment by doing fun, outdoor activities, like any other teacher would.  And I think it has worked.  I have had several graduates email me or visit to tell me that they have changed their original study course to study some field of environmental science.  I become so overwhelmed when they tell me it was because of a trip we took, or something they did in our class.

Maybe it's best to simply explain where we have gone. These places are not too extraordinary.  They are not expensive. Actually they are common places.  Places many 'other' people have visited; and quite likely many times.  However, our students, our families in Bell Gardens, aren't as privileged as others.  But what they do have is compassion, aspirations, and a curiosity that allows them to relish in the simple things. But hey, isn't that science??!!

So, I love to take them to the Upper Newport Bay in Newport Beach, California to help restore the wetland.  Students are given an overview of native vs. exotic species plants in the area and then they get to work.  Over the course of a year, we have helped remove hundreds of exotic mustard seeds and plant hundreds of native species to help restore the natural habitat of the area.

On otther trips, we have gone camping.  Every year we visit a new place.  Some place not too far, but far enough to be away from home.  On our first year, we went to Kern County.  We camped by the marvelous and forceful Kern River by Lake Isabella.  That was exciting in itself.  We did some hiking, some swimming, some playing, but basically, they observed the natural species in their natural habitat.  It was beautiful. We have also visited Joshua Tree, not too exciting for the students, but again, they saw a real desert; experienced the drastic changes in temperature, and learned about the history of the area and its people.

Last year we went to Big Bear, in the local San Bernardino Mountains.  This was an eventful weekend.  Not only did we camp out and hike, we participated in Big Bear's habitat restoration project.  Our students had experience doing this and the rangers were impressed!  My wonderful kids new how to dig out the identified exotics and were careful with all the other native species.  Plus, on our second night, we had the pleasure of attending a "Star Party."  Fortunately, some students had seen planets through a telescope, but even these images left me astonished at the beauty of our Solar System.  Mars, Saturn and Jupiter, with their rings and moons, were visible.  It was a beautiful and unforgettable sight.

Our groups get larger every year.  I'm delighted to be able to bring these experiences to my students, because in return, one day, they'll be making decisions that will determine the success of our environment.

Below are pictures from a recent field trip:

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