EEND 678 Intro Blog Post
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 semester I am taking my last two courses of 30 hours at St. Francis. 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 semester I am taking my last two courses of 30 hours at St. Francis. 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
Hi Jim,
ReplyDeleteI love your interest in all things biology. I went to college as a bio major and came out as a math and elementary education graduate. Science is one of my favorite subjects to teach and get the chance to now that I'm a self-contained 5th grade teacher.
Tell me more about the koi pond, please. My grandmother had a goldfish pond in Pennsylvania that I would love to recreate. Does it take a lot of upkeep work? How do they survive the winter?
Thanks! I look forward to learning more about technology integration with you!
Hi Jim,
ReplyDeleteI'm just up the road at MV! We used to take our Psychology students to Brookfield Zoo. The Enrichment and Training trainer talk was awesome because it illustrated how operant conditioning is utilized in a practical manner. Unfortunately, they discontinued the talk about a year or two ago.
Which animals did you work with while you were there?
Hello Jim,
ReplyDeleteThis is a career change for me as well. I was an electronic scale technician for 15 years prior to becoming a teacher. We also have something in common with your first career. When I retire I have always wanted to drive one of those trams at Brookfield Zoo. However, I may drive a tram at a zoo in a better climate that Chicago haha. Look forward from learning with you and the rest of the class.
Hi Jim,
ReplyDeleteI too am a career changer. Teaching is my second career. I started out as a Food and Beverage Director until I had my first child and decided that I wanted to make a difference with kids. I was intrigued with your diverse careers, especially the zookeeper. What made you want to become a teacher? I agree that the classes in the endorsement have been meaningful and the assignments we work on can be used in the classroom right away. I look forward to learning with you and sharing ideas.