5 Questions: High school science teacher Victoria Andras loves those "aha" moments
What's the best part about teaching high school science at Hardaway?
The best part of teaching biology is having the opportunity to watch students experience the "aha" moments on a regular basis. What an honor to facilitate teenagers thinking critically and questioning they really are naturals at it. Having students say "I never thought about that before" is exciting to me. I love encouraging students to question what they think they know and I love helping them learn to think beyond regurgitation.
You did not start out as a teacher, did you? No, this is my second career. Immediately after I graduated from college, I started working in the business world, including sales/marketing, management, and owned my own business. All of these experiences influence my approach to teaching and my students. I sell biology, I sell education. It's like owning my own business.
You were selected for a program this summer at Harvard University. What do you hope to learn from that? Yes, I am so excited! How my students learn continues to intrigue and challenge me, as a teacher. I want to know how they learn and what techniques and styles can produce deeper learning and understanding. I am counting on Project Classroom Zero to allow me to increase my students' interest and abilities in science, in thinking and questioning. I want to offer more opportunities for student learning and maximize every minute I have with each student. I feel very confident the Harvard experience will open my eyes to things that I don't even know that I don't know!
How has Columbus changed in your lifetime? My brother and I came to Columbus every summer as children to visit my Aunt Ceil and Uncle Archie. Archie Bishop owned Southeastern Seed and Hardware on First Avenue and the Fox and Dream Theatres were right next door. The downtown I remember was a slow-paced, charmingly southern environment. While we still have the southern charm it's now intermixed with an extremely active and vibrant residential community supported by the Riverwalk, whitewater, CSU, the Springer, RiverCenter, and lots of Broadway events. I often wish they were here to see Columbus' progress and positive changes.
What is the best kept secret in the Chattahoochee Valley?Hardaway High School's IB (International Baccalaureate) program. According to Harvard, Yale and many other reputable sources, the IB program is the best college prep program in the world. Overall, 95 percent of IB graduates graduate from college compared to 50 percent from non-IB programs.
Because we are a school within a school, all the students, not just IB students, benefit from the IB climate created by IB certified teachers and our administrators. The high level of academic achievement, involvement in the community, and acquisition of life skills are the normal outcomes from exposure to IB methodologies. Hardaway High School made the Washington Post's List of Most Challenging Schools (2014). Only 9 percent of the nation's public high schools were named to the list.
Age: 58Job: Hardaway High School science teacher, Muscogee County School District.Hometown: Born in Atlanta, but considers Columbus her hometownCurrent home: ColumbusFamily: Husband, Sam Andras; son, Troy Combs; step daughter, Tiffany Andras; step son, Jesse GoldmanEducation: Columbus State University, B.S. in Biology, Master’s in Science Education, Specialist Degree in Leadership & Administration, and National Board CertificationFavorite book: “The Greatest Show on Earth” by Richard DawkinsFavorite movie: “Dead Poets Society”Favorite restaurant: 11th and Bay Favorite quote: “True wisdom is knowing what you don’t know.” — Confucius Favorite song: “Imagine,” John LennonBest concert attended: Rolling Stones, Steel Wheels
This story was originally published December 28, 2014 at 5:58 PM with the headline "5 Questions: High school science teacher Victoria Andras loves those "aha" moments."