Ellen Hefner

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I love to learn and I had some wonderful caring teachers that made a difference in my life. My teachers made me feel like they enjoyed their job, loved their subject matter and helped me learn. When I was younger, I used to say "I want to teach because I want to make a difference". Now, I teach because I love chemistry and watching students learn to love doing science. Every class is different, every student is different, and I love that about teaching chemistry!

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable teaching experience was celebrating Mole Day with my students year after year. We would take over the gym, bring tons of food, play games, sing songs, and LEARN about what a mole is used for in chemistry. Every year, I meet students from the late 90s early 2000s who still can sing "equal volumes of gases at the same temp and pressure have the same # of molecules" and they still know the # 6.02 X 10 to 23 power!!! Their excitement lead to lifetime learning!

What would you do with the $25,000?

I teach in a low performing, Title I school that I love and have been here for 32 years. I would use the $25,000 to provide students with experiences inside and outside the classroom that would show them how chemistry can be valuable knowledge for them regardless of their life plans. I would take them off campus to see science in action on some Saturdays and wow them with science in action during the week. I would continue to provide materials to allow them to DO science, not just learn it.