Introductory Blog Post EEND 677
Hello class,
My name is Jim Nielsen and I teach Biology and Anatomy at Waubonsie Valley High School. Teaching was a 3rd career change for me as I worked previously as a zookeeper at Brookfield Zoo, and did medical research at University of Chicago for 5 years as well. I am currently in my 12th year of teaching and truly get excited to come to work everyday and spend time talking about the study of Life with young adults. The two courses I teach are extremely diverse in learning levels as I teach freshman co-taught biology and Senior Anatomy. It really creates a fun challenge to create material that works for all learning levels. Because of this challenge, and our districts move to 1:1 instruction next year, I decided to enroll in the Educational Technology courses at St. Francis. This is my 3rd course at St. Francis, and my favorite aspect so far is that I am actually able to utilize many of the lessons in class.
When students leave my classroom I want them to have a deeper appreciation for the natural world. I also want them to understand that they are the caretakers of their one and only planet and without them, the current biodiversity and resources around today might not be there in the future. I feel my number one responsibility to the kids in my room is to teach them that science is a way of knowing about their natural world. Science is tentative, and when facts change due to good research, science changes along with them. There is such an assault on science education right now, so it is important for students to learn that science isn't something to be feared, but rather utilized for advancement. I think technology has been the best resource to achieve these goals in the classroom. I am glad that I am learning how to use technology to engage students with the material rather than just providing an online version of an already made worksheet. I look forward to learning about new tools, and skills, to use in my classroom to enhance the curriculum and make the material even more engaging for high school students.
I am very lucky to have an amazing family, including my wife Magan and two kiddos Easton and Ivy. We love being outside and enjoying nature. I am an avid scuba diver and have been obsessed with the ocean since I was a young child. I also have a 700 gallon reef aquarium system filled with lots of fish and coral that keeps me busy, and a large koi pond that I built in the backyard to enjoy in the summer. I am definitely looking forward to a great school year and teaching the 150 students I have about the amazing biodiversity we have on this planet.
Take care,
Jim
My name is Jim Nielsen and I teach Biology and Anatomy at Waubonsie Valley High School. Teaching was a 3rd career change for me as I worked previously as a zookeeper at Brookfield Zoo, and did medical research at University of Chicago for 5 years as well. I am currently in my 12th year of teaching and truly get excited to come to work everyday and spend time talking about the study of Life with young adults. The two courses I teach are extremely diverse in learning levels as I teach freshman co-taught biology and Senior Anatomy. It really creates a fun challenge to create material that works for all learning levels. Because of this challenge, and our districts move to 1:1 instruction next year, I decided to enroll in the Educational Technology courses at St. Francis. This is my 3rd course at St. Francis, and my favorite aspect so far is that I am actually able to utilize many of the lessons in class.
When students leave my classroom I want them to have a deeper appreciation for the natural world. I also want them to understand that they are the caretakers of their one and only planet and without them, the current biodiversity and resources around today might not be there in the future. I feel my number one responsibility to the kids in my room is to teach them that science is a way of knowing about their natural world. Science is tentative, and when facts change due to good research, science changes along with them. There is such an assault on science education right now, so it is important for students to learn that science isn't something to be feared, but rather utilized for advancement. I think technology has been the best resource to achieve these goals in the classroom. I am glad that I am learning how to use technology to engage students with the material rather than just providing an online version of an already made worksheet. I look forward to learning about new tools, and skills, to use in my classroom to enhance the curriculum and make the material even more engaging for high school students.
I am very lucky to have an amazing family, including my wife Magan and two kiddos Easton and Ivy. We love being outside and enjoying nature. I am an avid scuba diver and have been obsessed with the ocean since I was a young child. I also have a 700 gallon reef aquarium system filled with lots of fish and coral that keeps me busy, and a large koi pond that I built in the backyard to enjoy in the summer. I am definitely looking forward to a great school year and teaching the 150 students I have about the amazing biodiversity we have on this planet.
Take care,
Jim
JIM!!! What an exciting life path you have had! I think your different careers all sound super interesting, but am glad that you ended up in teaching because you sound so passionate about what you do. I'm sure that your students are lucky to have someone like you with the knowledge and excitement about the area of study teaching them. I agree and am thankful that the courses we are taking at USF are providing us with assignments and learning activities that we can use in our every day practice. All of the tech tools that I have been learning about, or assignments I have created are things that I have actually used this year with my third graders!
ReplyDeleteOn a personal note, my family LOVES the zoo and we get memberships every year. I have a 6 and 4 year old who are obsessed with animals, but my husband might love going there just as much as they do (if not more!). He also graduated from WVHS and loves fish and scuba diving-you two have a ton in common!!
Looking forward to a great semester!
Shelby
Hi Jim,
ReplyDeleteThis is my 2nd course in the program and feel the same as you in terms of being able to apply what we learn in our courses to our own classrooms. My favorite part of my last course was connecting with other teachers who are using a variety of technology because we learn so much from each other. I'm looking forward to working with you and other classmates to continue to build our repertoire of technology resources!
Thanks,
Brooke