Scott Hetherington

My Educational Philosophy

Students learn in different ways, at different paces, and for different reasons. My role is to meet them where they are, offer many paths to understanding, and celebrate progress over perfection. Mistakes aren’t failures—they’re stepping stones. Everyone is different, and that is a good thing!

Personal Life

Private.

Experience

For 37 incredible years, I taught in a traditional classroom where the smell of Bunsen burners and the excitement of things going “boom” were just another day at work. With degrees in biology and chemistry—and a minor in physics—my classroom was always buzzing with hands-on experiments, curious minds, and the occasional explosion (on purpose, of course!).

Whether we were dissecting frogs, building circuits, or growing crystals, I believed that science is something you do, not just something you read about. My goal was always to spark wonder, ignite questions, and make learning feel like an exciting discovery—not a chore.

Seven years ago, I took a bold leap and traded my lab goggles for a webcam when I joined Crosslake Community School as an online teacher. At first, I wasn’t sure how my hands-on approach would translate to the digital world—but I quickly realized that curiosity doesn’t care where you’re learning from. Whether students are at home, in a cabin, or halfway across the state, the spark of discovery is still there—and so is the joy of teaching.

Now in my seventh year of teaching online, I’ve found creative new ways to bring science to life through virtual labs, interactive simulations, and student-led investigations from wherever they are. It’s been a thrilling transition, and I’m grateful every day to still be doing what I love—helping students explore, question, and connect with the world around them.

Education

I hold degrees in Chemistry and Biology, with a minor in Physics—a combination that gave me a well-rounded foundation in the sciences. It also meant I could dive into everything from chemical reactions and cell structures to the laws of motion and energy. This background has allowed me to teach a wide range of topics, and to connect concepts across the sciences in ways that make learning more meaningful for students.