Elise (Elisabeth) Harrell,
鈥�09 B.A. Biology,
鈥�10 Single-Subject Teaching Credential
鈥楥hanneling鈥� Her Passion for Teaching
By Marya Barlow
Some people can鈥檛 wait to get out of high school. Elisabeth (Elise) Harrell couldn鈥檛 wait to go back.
Eight years after graduating from Channel Islands High School (CIHS), the Oxnard native excitedly returned in 2011 as a teacher. In between, she married her high school sweetheart, attended Moorpark and Ventura College, earned her biology degree from CI in 2009, and completed her single-subject teaching credential at CI in 2010.
鈥淚 absolutely love remaining in this community,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 think having that connection helps me relate to the students. At the beginning of the school year I share pictures of me from high school and what teachers I had. The students seem to really enjoy it.鈥�
At Channel Islands High School鈥檚 Marine Science Academy, Harrell teaches marine biology, biology and environmental science to students in grades 10 through 12. This year, she鈥檚 helping launch a partnership between her school, R.J. Frank Intermediate School, CSU Channel Islands, and Channel Islands National Park called 鈥淐rossing the Channel.鈥� Funded through a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration grant, the program exposes students to hands-on science and ecology on Santa Rosa Island.
鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting to continue this connection with my alma mater,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hrough this program, students will learn from CI undergraduates and professionals in the community. We hope to create a new generation of environmental stewards who can share their knowledge. They might even find a career they didn鈥檛 know existed and fall in love with it!鈥�
That鈥檚 similar to what happened to Harrell. After graduating from CIHS in 2003, she entered community college planning to be an interior designer, but realized it wasn鈥檛 for her.
鈥淚 remembered how much I enjoyed science classes and all the great teachers I had,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 wanted a job that would make a difference in the world and help people.鈥�
At CI, she discovered her passion for teaching science and never looked back.
鈥淐I鈥檚 professors gave me all the tools I needed to be successful, such as how to make science engaging and fun, and how to teach students with a variety of needs and abilities,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e even practiced writing resumes and did mock interviews with questions known to be asked by the local school districts. I practiced those questions before my first interview and obviously nailed it!鈥�
Now she鈥檚 transferring her passion to younger generations.
鈥淭he best thing about high school science is the opportunity to open young minds to the amazing world around us,鈥� she said. 鈥淭eenagers can be so concerned with high school drama. I like to find topics, lessons, and labs that engage them in world issues, so they can become better citizens. When I see a class full of students really into a lesson I planned, I feel like I鈥檓 making a difference.鈥�
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漏 Fall 2014 / Volume 18 / Number 2