Katherine Plucinski

Program

Masters of Teaching, Secondary Earth and Space Science

Undergraduate major

B.S in integrated Chemistry, with a minor and centration in Chemistry

Background

I received my B.S. at Longwood University, majoring in Integrated Environmental Chemistry, with a minor and concentration in chemistry. This program is my first formal exposure to teaching, but I have experiences as both a peer tutor and middle school mentor.

Why do you want to teach?

I hope that my love for science and the environment impacts my students in a way that makes them feel empowered to make a difference in their communities. Through my practicum experiences and my courses at VCU, I have adopted a social reconstructionist approach, where I want my classroom to be a place where my students grow into social and environmental justice activists. Witnessing and assisting in student growth is a driving factor in why I want to teach.

Please tell us about a memorable teaching experience and why it stands out in your mind.

On my first day in my high school practicum placement, there was a student who was yelling out nonsense answers, listening to music that was very loud, and walking around the classroom. I noticed that he had finished all of his classwork for the day within 15 minutes, and almost all of his answers were correct. After class, I told my practicum teacher that he knew all of the information, just that he might be bored and it was causing him to act out. The next class period, he was moved to an Honors level class. He has not had any disciplinary problems, and he has been making A's. This experience stands out to me because I think students are often disciplined for behavioral issues without getting to the root of the problem. In this case, the problem was that he needed a challenge. We need to pay attention to what our students are saying with their actions.

What has the Noyce program meant to you?

Noyce has given me the opportunity to continue my education while impacting the educational experience of my students. My courses at VCU and practicum experiences have helped me shape my teaching philosophies and perspectives, which have strengthened my desire to work in high needs schools. Noyce has opened many doors for me, academically and professionally, as well as helping me to solidify why I want to teach.