2026 Galapagos/Ecuador Trip
Introduction:
My name is Patrick Scharf. I am married with three sons; one is a school counselor in Rochester, NY, one has received his DVM from the Vet school at Virginia Tech and is working in Denver, Colorado (see link at bottom of page to meet his animal-loving friend in NM), and the youngest is finishing graduate school at VCU. I am in my seventeenth year of teaching at LCMS. I have a biology degree from Mary Baldwin University, and am endorsed for secondary biology and middle school science. I have always loved teaching, and find great joy in sharing my passion for science. I use my sense of humor to create fun energy in discussions and lessons. My expectations for learning and putting forth effort are quite high, and the students rise to the occasion. I believe that students should begin to own their actions regarding academics and because of that belief, I do not call home to remind parents of missing assignments. My expectation is that parents monitor the portal to see if work is missing. Students should be ready to push themselves, and be willing to take risks for personal growth. Their best success will come from discussing what they learned that day. This class is not about the grade, but is instead about developing skills, and identifying how they learn best. Now that we have gone on our many WorldStrides trips to Florida (2018, 2021), Alaska (2019) the Galapagos Islands (2022), Costa Rica Coastline (2023), and Iceland (2024), Costa Rica interior (2025)I am looking forward to my last trip as I venture back to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Although this trip is full, I will discuss the possibility for a second group. Stay tuned for announcements in August. Please visit the field trips pages to see photos or trip videos, and to see what your child could experience on our trips.
Prior to teaching, I had been a rehabilitation engineer, providing increased independence for people with functional disabilities (mostly spinal cord injuries), and consulting for insurance companies throughout USA. I served as executive VP with a retirement community, and helped a friend start a sporting goods business. I am also a part-time employee with UVA athletics, working at the scorer's table for softball, baseball, and wrestling events. M hobby is making one-of-a-kind wooden boxes As you can see, family is important to me, which is why I try so hard to foster a family-like environment in my class.
If you have any concerns about the events in class, or about assignments, please feel free to contact me.
Email: scharfpt@lcps.k12.va.us
Phone: 540 894-5457
Plus you can text me using the Remind app
Welcome to this year's 2025-26 academic year! We will enjoy the learning process through labs, projects, discussions, and independent study. What a great opportunity for your child to develop the skills they need for success in today's world. They will learn to structure and manage time, respect the voice of others, plan ahead, identify how they learn best, become better researchers, learn how to write convincingly, and adapt to an ever-changing planet. Science is at the core of understanding the complexities that your child will face now and into the future. There is no better way to develop the five "C's" of critical thinking, citizenship, creativity, communication, and collaboration then to be faced with circumstances that need these skills, and we all know that "necessity is the mother of invention." I expect this group to invent a new breed of self-confident and successful students. I can't wait to get started!
With a Binturong
Soft-coated Wheaton
Lunch at the Tortoise Center
Approx. 9600' above sea level
Mr. Scharf swimming w/sharks
Our Final stop for Dinner
The Highlands of Quito
Mr. Scharf w/a Giant Tortoise
One of Galapagos' Finches
14,000 Feet above Sea level
Blue-Footed Booby & Penguin
Our Friend the Sea Lion
Mr. Scharf with one foot on each side of the equator
Clearest View of Denali on June 28, 2019
Arctic Tree Squirrel
Sea Otter
Mullion
Wild Flower
Bald Eagle
Moose
Porcupine
Arctic Ground Squirrel
Puffin
Humpback Whale
Harbor Seal
Sea Lions
Male Rock Ptarmigan
Mr. Scharf's close encounter with a manatee during our WorldStrides Florida trip. See more on the Field Trip page
Some of the 7th & 8th grade students from our first WorldStrides trip to Florida.
Feeding giraffes on the Serengeti Safari (June 2018)
Water testing (June 2018).
Dip netting for biodiversity (June 2018).
Shark dissection (June 2018).
Petting the rays at the Tampa Lowry Zoo (June 2018).
St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands-Christmas 2014
Gettysburg 2012
September 5, 2019
Contact Information
Email: scharfpt@lcps.k12.va.us
Phone: 540 894-5457 EXT 2109
Please explore the website to see my calendar and other resources available!