Math & Science Graduate Fellows in K-12 Education

Fellow: Kelly Wendt, M.S. graduate fellow in Geological Sciences
Teacher: Diane Podgornik, Jedlicka - Proctor Middle School, 7th grade Life Science

My experience so far has been positive and enriching. It's been fun being back in a middle school classroom and remembering what that is like. The students are the best part, they ask lots of questions that you don't expect and I always enjoy watching them make connections on their own. My favorite memory so far was the one day that my teacher had a sub, but I was able to teach all the lessons for that day. It gave me confidence in my abilities.

I've learned a lot about communication from the middle school students. When I talk to them and they don't understand it they let me know. They give me weird looks or shake their heads at me, stuff that another adult might not do. In talking to them about my research and science in general, I've gotten better in explaining in simpler terms. I thought I was doing a good job of this originally, but the students let me know I was not. I've also gotten better at talking in front of a crowd of people, I now feel comfortable in taking over a classroom. I've always respected my teachers and thought they did a lot of work and this experience has confirmed for me that they do have a lot of work.

Teams in Action

1. 2. 3.

Curriculum