UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — For Haley Sankey, assistant teaching professor of energy and sustainability policy, it was a teacher’s humor, patience and ability to empower that inspired her to become an educator. For Jim Adair, professor of materials science and engineering, it was the ability to put pressing civil rights events into context. For Ken Davis, professor of atmospheric and climate science, it was the teacher’s knack to challenge and demand excellence. Jesse Reimink, assistant professor of geosciences, learned the importance of geosciences and the value of communicating that passion.
These traits are among the reasons that faculty nominated teachers who inspired them for the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences’ (EMS) inaugural cohort of Hall of Fame educators.
“So many of my colleagues can trace their early interest in science to a particularly influential middle- or high-school teacher,” said Lee Kump, John Leone Dean in EMS. “These gifted teachers deserve our praise and recognition for igniting a passion for science that in our case led to a career in science and education.”
Sankey, who teaches through Penn State’s World Campus classes in the John Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering, said Amy Shetrom, of Moshannon Valley High School, inspired her to pursue a science career. It wasn’t enough to show that women could pursue STEM fields, Sankey said, she wanted students to know they could excel in them. That, coupled with her wit, is why Shetrom is being honored.
“Her approach made each student feel like a contributor of knowledge instead of merely a consumer. She had the best sense of humor, an amazing amount of patience, and the ability to empower each and every student,” Sankey said. “Her love of biology was infectious and a main reason I pursued a science degree. Mrs. Shetrom still lives her life exuding kindness and joy. As a high school teacher, she didn’t just teach biology, she also taught confidence and curiosity, two qualities that are not typically encouraged in rural women.”
At Jupiter High School in Florida, Adair said Carol Cook Brant broached difficult topics of civil rights and the Vietnam War as the events played out in real-time his senior year in 1969-70. He said Cook’s teaching of contemporary problems in America was a revelation as students examined topics such as the Kent State Massacre and racial tensions in America.
“Cook brought all of this knowledge and critical thinking, a gift to all of us in her Jupiter classes that has lasted a lifetime,” Adair said.
Davis said he grew up in a small town and Shikwon Choi challenged him in math in ways that led to his own success.
“I would not be in my current position without the solid foundation Mr. Choi laid out mathematics in a way that was critical to my undergraduate training,” Davis said. “I expect that the same is true for a large number of students who were blessed by his 40 years of teaching upper-level mathematics in Auburn public schools.”
Reimink found the earth sciences through classes Chris Bolhuis taught at Hudsonville Public High School in Michigan. He took a few — including a summer field course — which led to his career path. He learned the value of education from Bolhuis. That’s a path that continues to this day. The duo host the podcast “Planet Geo.”
“Chris Bolhuis is, by far, the single most important reason I am a geoscientist,” said Reimink. “He instilled in me an appreciation for the geosciences and continues to motivate me to become a better geoscience researcher, educator and communicator. He has been, and remains, an inspiration to me and many others.”
Bolhuis, who was recently presented the award by Kump during his astronomy class, said he’s passionate about promoting the earth sciences. He sees nothing more important than our home, Earth.
“Geoscience is all about studying our planet — the only one we have,” Bolhuis said. “Geoscience related issues dominate the news — climate change, resources such as petroleum, natural gas, coal and ore formations, fracking, water, natural disasters, etc. It can be a long list. How can we not care about this? The more we know, the better equipped we are to take care of our home.”
EMS Educator Hall of Fame recipients include:
- Talulah Barber, of Roxboro Junior High School, nominated by Tanya Furman
- Bolhuis, of Hudsonville Public High School, nominated by Reimink
- Pam Chapman-Locke, of Regnart Elementary, nominated by Kimberly Lau
- Choi, of Auburn High School, nominated by Davis
- Cook Brant, of Jupiter High School, nominated by Adair
- Edward Dambach, of Blackhawk Area High School, nominated by Stevie Rocco
- Ed Evans, of Hilton Central High School, nominated by Christopher Marone
- Murari Ghosh, of The Vivekananda Institution, Howrah, India, nominated by Sekhar Bhattacharyya
- Lynn Herschlein, of Bayville Intermediate School, nominated by Marisa Ferger
- Dan Konczal, of Calvary Temple Christian School, nominated by Brandon Schwartz
- Lonnie Mitchell, of Chelsea High School, nominated by Joshua Inwood
- Henry Pietrzak, of Steubenville Catholic Central High School, nominated by Jon Nese
- Carla Rowhedder, of Golden Valley High School, nominated by Kump
- Shetrom, of Moshannon Valley High School, nominated by Sankey
- Teresa Williams, of Alfred-Almond Central School, nominated by John Mauro