I am Mrs. Stark and I teach 8th Grade Science at Mitchell Middle School. I love teaching science because we get to ask lots of questions about the world and answer them with hands-on learning. I also really enjoy art and attempt to meld science with art as much as possible. My main goal with teaching is to prepare students for the real world by having them learn skills they will use forever. 

I live in Carmichael with my husband, 2 dogs, 2 cats, and 10 chickens. We love to spend time outdoors, especially in our garden where we grow lots of fruits and veggies. My husband and I also enjoy riding our bikes either on the American River Parkway, or on the trails in Granite Bay, Sly Park, or Auburn. My favorite hobby of all is eating. I love trying new cuisines or experimenting in the kitchen. I look forward to meeting you and your child this year.

Petri is our resident Crested Gecko who lives in the classroom most days. During summer and long breaks he comes home with me. He is not a class pet that students can take home, since his terrarium (or cage) is quite an ordeal and requires temperature and humidity control.

Yes, he is named after a Petri Dish :)

A little about Cresties:

• Crested geckos have been nicknamed the “eyelash” gecko due to the ridges that run along the top of their eyes.

• A prehensile tail allows them to grab onto vines and branches.

• They do not have eyelids. They moisten their eyes by licking them.

• Lamellae on the toe pads have tiny rows of hair that grab and hold on to the imperfections on a surface…even glass! This allows them to climb smooth vertical surfaces.

• Crested geckos’ tails do not grow back if they lose them.

• Crested geckos come from New Caledonia, a group of islands off the coast of Australia.

Pelota Sewell is our resident Ball Python who lives in the classroom. He used to be another science teacher's class pet, but when the teacher retired, Pelota found his new home in Mrs. Stark's classroom. 

Pelota is 33 years old, and blind (from his old age).

Fun Facts about Ball Pythons:

• Ball pythons are named after their natural defensive behaviors. They tend to curl up into a ball with their head toward the center of the ball when threatened.

• They are also called the “royal python” because ancient royalty wore them as jewelry.

• The average life span of a ball python is 20 to 30 years. The record is a ball python living over 45 years in captivity.

• Baby ball pythons are called hatchlings.

• Ball Pythons are carnivores and eat rats.