{Science}Mr. Brad Henegar, Physics
What year did you start teaching?
I started teaching in 1978! Wow, that’s a long time ago.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
I took some classes in education in college that were very inspiring and decided to become a teacher.
Why do you think S.T.E.M. is so important for this next generation?
All of my student’s everyday experiences have to do with STEM. In order to an informed citizen in this country, an understanding of STEM issues is crucial to this generation.
How do you implement S.T.E.M. in your classroom?
I have always used computers for lab data analysis in my classroom. Current probeware technology has enabled me to do computer data gathering. I have a set of LabQuest units which allow my students to set up an experiment and gather data easily so that they can focus on the analysis of the data.
What advice would you give to students wanting to go into the S.T.E.M. field?
STEM careers are among the fastest growing careers available to this generation. They generally offer good pay and benefits but most of all offer an opportunity to have a fulfilling career. Pursue your passion.
{Technology}Mr. Jacob Johnson, Yearbook, AVID
What year did you start teaching?
I started teaching in 2000.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
Ideas. New ideas, specifically. Being around young people allows me the privilege to be around new ideas. It’s exciting and fun.
Why do you think S.T.E.M. is so important for this next generation?
It’s where we’re going as a society, in terms of thinking. Also, it’s where most of the valuable jobs will be.
Why do you think technology is so important for this next generation?
It’s so important because technology is developing and changing at such a rapid rate. Students need to have the skills and knowledge necessary to understand and influence trends.
How do you implement S.T.E.M. in your classroom?
Through the Haiku LMS and other online learning tools.
What advice would you give to students wanting to go into the S.T.E.M. field?
Start early and find a niche.
{Engineering}Mr. Kevin Bradley, Robotics, Drafting II, Intro to Design
What year did you start teaching?
2003. I taught Business, Computers, and Algebra. I started teaching Drafting in 2004. Robotics started in 2006 after Mr. Matus (now at Mesa) obtained a large grant where we needed to expand the engineering program at MVHS. He thought it should be robotics and I was tasked with doing all of the research and writing the course. I started a club with 4-5 students to get a feel for what I would be teaching the following year.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
My parents who were both teachers. It is a noble profession and I enjoy working with students who strive to make me do better on a daily basis.
Why do you think S.T.E.M. is so important for this next generation?
Because it forces you to apply what you are learning from all of your classes. We can all answer the questions in the back of the book, but STEM forces you take what you know and use it to solve problems in the real world. It also fosters creativity in that there may be many different ways to solve the same problem.
Why do you think engineering is so important for this next generation?
I believe taking your entire educational experience (both in class and in social situations) and being able to apply it outside of the classroom is crucial for the success of your generation. Our world is facing many new problems that have to be looked at from new points of view. Technology is changing so fast that many times what we learn today will be outdated in a matter of months. Students need to be ready and excited to meet these new challenges. The future and our well-being depends on it.
How do you implement S.T.E.M. in your classroom?
Through the Engineering, Drafting, and Robotics courses that I teach. Project based instruction is a big part of what we do in all of the classes that I teach. Students can generally make the connections from their calculus or physics courses in robotics and they start to understand that these concepts are just as important outside of the classroom walls as they are within.
What advice would you give to students wanting to go into the S.T.E.M. field?
Go for it! We need you! It will be an exciting worthwhile career that will challenge you every day. Follow your passions and work to make the world a better place. I am excited for the future of all of my students whether or not they go on to a STEM field or not.
{Mathematics}Mrs. Shannon Augustin, Pre-Calculus
What year did you start teaching?
I started teaching in 2009.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
My Chemistry teacher in high school had such a passion for learning, that it inspired me to look into teaching as a career.
Why do you think S.T.E.M. is so important for this next generation?
Most of the jobs that are in high demand require STEM skills. In order for the U.S. to stay competitive in the global economy, we need to produce students who have those skills.
Why do you think mathematics is so important for this next generation?
Mathematics is a gateway to many majors and careers. Often I have heard past students who have switched their majors because they struggle in calculus in college. This is sad to me because one class shouldn’t come in the way of your goals.
How do you implement S.T.E.M. in your classroom?
I try to graphing apps such as Desmos to bring math concepts more meaning. Also I like to emphasize the connections math has to science, as it comes up in class. For instance, logarithms have many connections to science like the Richter scale, PH scale, ect.
What advice would you give to students wanting to go into the S.T.E.M. field?
Do it and don’t give up! Stick with it even when it gets tough because the rewards of working in this field are worth it!
