EEND 680- 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
Jim, I want to come sit in on your classes just from reading your introduction blog post. Your students are so lucky to have a teacher so knowledgeable and willing to explain the importance of science and how our understanding of the natural world continues to evolve with research. I look forward to working with you throughout this course and hope that your transition to being 1:1 next year goes smoothly. Katie Dunneback
ReplyDeleteHi Jim! Congrats on being so close to finishing your program...like you, I am almost done as well! I agree that one of the best aspects of this program has been that nearly everything I have done for my coursework has been able to be immediately used in my daily practice! I have learned so much not only from the instructors, but from classmates like you as well!
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Shelby Donaghey
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Jim,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed getting to know about your career changes and what led you to become a teacher. On my way to work, I pass by Brookfield Zoo everyday. I too decided to enroll in technology courses because my district's initiative to have lots of technology in the classroom. I figured learning about technology through these courses couldn't hurt.
Kelly Manis