Brandon Rice
8th Grade Science
Who is Coach Rice?
I love adventure, whether it comes in the form of learning, food, travel, hiking/camping, reading, or new hobbies. There are too many interesting things in the world to sit back and not check them out.
My wife Katie and daughter Molly are my favorite fellow adventurers, and we enjoy exploring our local area and the wider world, making memories any chance we get.
I am a native of Western North Carolina, with deep roots in nearby Madison County.
I coach the NBMS wrestling team, and I'm convinced wrestling is the best sport in the world.
I've had the opportunity to explore a variety of roles in education, and I've enjoyed them all. I began as a high school English teacher for 8 years before becoming a librarian for a few years. From there I transitioned into administering online learning (creating the BCS Virtual Academy in the process). And finally, when I missed the classroom too much to stay away, I found the opportunity to return to being a teacher here at NBMS!
I've been able to sample a few universities along my way--beginning with the United States Air Force Academy, followed by NC State, East Tennessee State, Western Carolina, and App State.
How do I approach education?
My passion for education is an extension of my love of adventure. With all the wonderful things in the world, I believe that life is enriched by a deeper understanding of the things around us, and science is a fantastic tool to deepen our understanding. Science is more than a series of facts to be learned; it is a way of thinking and observing the world that is developed through practice.
I will look for any opportunity to make learning feel like the adventure it is, and I am always open to new ideas for making learning more fun and hands-on. I only ask that students do their best to maintain their sense of curiosity and be on the lookout for things that interest them or connect to their lives. I have found that people who are able to stay interested in things tend to become the most interesting people.
I care deeply about seeing each student learn as much as possible and--more importantly--grow into the best and most capable person they can be.
I want any student, parent, or family member to feel comfortable coming to me to talk about the things we are learning in class as well as the things going on in their lives that impact their time in my classroom.
Classroom Info:
We will use Canvas as the primary platform for posting and submitting assignments, which will make it easy for students to stay caught up whenever they cannot be here in person.
Students should come to class prepared with a writing utensil and their laptop charged. Students who come prepared and use their time well in class will almost never have additional homework, with the exception of a few fun projects.