Math & Science Graduate Fellows in K-12 Education

Fellow: Greg Rohde, M.S. graduate fellow in Chemistry
Teacher: Cindy Grindy, Duluth East High School, Chemistry

The GK-12 experience has been positive. As a former teacher returning to graduate school, the fellowship has reminded me of all of the positive things that happen in the classroom. I am in a privileged position: I do the fun parts of education (planning lessons, delivering, interacting with students, giving feedback...) and escaping others (discipline, staff meetings without food, teaching other people's passions, administration, contract talks...). If I return to teaching or change careers after graduate school, I am reminded why I was ready to be a teacher for the rest of my life from my experience in the high school classroom this fall.

Sharing my research to interested students is a highlight. I planned on presenting for about 20 minutes including questions, except it stretched into an entire period because of the interest students' questions. After I present other modern topics, some students stay after and talk with me about the subject as long as they can without being late for their next class. My cooperating teacher is a master at chemistry education at the high school level. I try to pick up her subtleties in classroom management and add them to my teaching and presenting styles. In summary, my favorite things about the GK-12 fellowship are: interacting with and exciting students about new technologies, and working and learning with my cooperating teacher.

Teams in Action

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Curriculum