Math & Science Graduate Fellows in K-12 Education

Fellow: Marian Kramer, M.S. graduate fellow Water Resources and Geology
Teacher: Margie Menzies, Harbor City High School, grades 11-12 Chemistry and Earth Sciences

Marian Kramer
GK-12 Experience Summary
January 21, 2009

            As a GK-12 Fellow working at Harbor City International School with 11th and 12th grade Earth Science and Chemistry classes I have been exposed to the many issues in education often discussed by educators, politicians and the news media: classroom management challenges; a STEM “achievement gap” at the high school level; the individual needs of special education students; and how to teach to every student in a classroom, even though they are a very different skill levels. I have learned a lot about how schools, teachers, and students cope with these challenges and what could possibly be done to resolve many of these issues.
          On a more personal note, I have learned that I can hold the attention of and energetic high school students when presenting STEM material, and that I really enjoy the process of learning and discovery. I really like helping students through a problem they do not understand and watching them begin to grasp a new concept. I have also discovered that students can be harsh and have no hesitation in telling their teacher they dislike a certain subject or assignment. I found this troubling because it signifies a lack of understanding on the part of the students that the assignment was created for them, for their sake. Students often don’t seem to understand that teachers want what is best for them, and very often the biggest obstacle to their success is their own self.

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Curriculum