I am Heather Cox and I have been teaching science since 2012. I am thrilled to be joining Hart High School this year, where I will be teaching Regular and Honors Chemistry.
I thoroughly enjoy learning about science, which began during my own high school experience. Inspired by my science teachers, I graduated from UC Davis in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Genetics. After graduation, I joined the staff of researchers at the Hillblom Islet Research Center at UCLA, where I worked on research projects aimed at understanding and treating Type 2 Diabetes. During my 5 years at UCLA, I realized that I enjoyed training the other researchers the most, which naturally led me to seek a career as an educator.
Through my own experiences as a researcher, and my passion for science, I hope you are as inspired as I am. I can't promise our year together will be easy; on the contrary, you will be challenged. However, by the end of this class you will have a better appreciation for the world around you, will understand advanced science, and will be better prepared for college.
Although it may be a difficult course, don't worry! You have tools at your disposal and supports in place to make sure you're successful and have a good experience. Here are some suggestions:
Problem
Solutions
I failed a test.
You did not study. Studying does not mean reading your notes. Studying means DOING. Doing your worksheets over again, rewriting your notes, creating and solving practice problems, using flashcards for vocabulary and other problems are all ways of actively studying. Studying is not a passive task. A sweat should be broken. Complete test corrections for the questions you missed. This will help you understand the concept you missed the first time, but should also help you identify ways to modify how you are preparing for the test.
But I did study and I still failed!
Did you seek extra help the day that you didn't understand something? When did you start studying? Your homework period each day should be half studying and half homework. Studying is a cumulative process, not something you spend an hour on the day before the test.
I think I am going to fail this quarter.
Did you do all of your homework? Each homework missed can add up to a point or more off your quarter average. You can always improve your grade, but the longer you wait to do something about your grade, the more difficult it will be for you to dig your way out.
I lost my formula sheet.
Copy them from a classmate or print them from the website.
I don't know how to use my calculator.
Come in and I will show you.
I didn't bring anything to write with.
Borrow from a classmate. I also have a limited supply of abandoned writing utensils in class.
Someone in the family died/was in the hospital/etc. so I couldn't do the homework.
Bring in a note from your parents to let me know that this is a legitimate excuse. Bring homework in the next day with the note.
I couldn't do the homework.
Did you seek extra help?
I don't have the time to come for help.
Make the time. There is always time, and this is a priority.
Adapted from David Knuffke