Donna Calder

As a child of five, there was always work and projects going on at the house. There was always someone around to pull out the paper, markers, scissors, magazines, tape, and more. After dinner was cleaned from the kitchen table, it became the classroom desk as needed. I have always been active and competitive growing up with siblings which has continued in adult life. I enjoy biking, hiking, kayaking, gardening, nature, and learning new things.

 

Along with my loving husband, we have raised three beautiful children, enjoying many life experiences along the way. In our adventures, we have grown as individuals that cherish family and friends. Having each child so different from one another is probably the most enjoyable challenge of all. All these experiences are like puzzle pieces. Eventually, they interconnect to create a whole picture.

 

I started my teaching career later in life and have found it to be the largest endeavor one can explore in these times. I believe it is the most important mission of these times. Looking at my first year as a STEM health teacher in Chicago Public Schools, I feel invigorated to influence Healthy Bodies = Healthy Minds by example.

 

I have been teaching for 13 years and it has been a very challenging and rewarding experience. In the laboratory, students engage in hands-on activities that helps them better understand the world around them. Students become the scientist through exploration, questioning, and experimentation.

 

I continue to be a learner by participating in quality professional development that helps me master my craft. As the world is always changing so does our approach to teaching. It is crucial to stay current and creative to engage students in problem solving techniques like questioning new situations by applying acquired knowledge. Children are naturally inquisitive so critical thinking skills are practiced as the student’s work through different problems.

 

I encourage students to look at their world through a different lens and think about what they see. As they aquire pieces of experiences, children naturally make connections providing them with a knowledge they can build on developing a clear understanding. Through this deeper understanding, they will synthesize information and apply it to the bigger picture.