Viewing page 38 of 46
This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.
Six Outstanding Teachers in the World of High School Chemistry Beginning this year, awards will be made each year to six outstanding high school chemistry teachers, one from each of six districts established on a geographical basis. The districts include all of the United States and each contains about the same number of chemistry teachers. [[image]] Raymond T. Byrne [[image]] [[photo credit]] amador studio [[/photo credit]] Harold E. Alexander Called the James Bryant Conant award in High School Chemistry Teaching and sponsored by E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., the awards will be made for exceptional success, unique ability, and outstanding contributions in teaching of chemistry. The 1967 recipients of awards are Harold E. Alexander, Las Cruces, N.M.; Raymond T. Byrne, Batavia, N.Y.; Elaine M. Kilbourne, Washington, D.C.; Elaine W. Ledbetter, Pampa, Texas; Theodore E. Molitor, Roseville, Minn.; and Harry C. Taylor, Atlanta, Ga. Harold E. Alexander, Las Cruces High School, Las Cruces, N.M., communicates to students his great curiosity about the world and his love of chemistry. To attend his class is to be reborn into the exciting world of experimental science. Thus said a former student, who continued, "Part of Mr. A.'s impact on his students may be attributed to his open, searching mind and deep intellectual integrity. He would often pause in the middle of a lecture and, leaning far over his desk, ask, 'Why is that?' It was a question directed as much to himself as to us, but, surprised to hear that science was subject to question, we would repeat to ourselves, 'Why is that?' When we asked Mr. A. something he didn't know, he would answer simply 'I don't know,' then try to direct us to someone who did, and he was as eager as we to learn. "Mr. A. emphasized mastering fundamental concepts and learning essential techniques rather than memorizing masses of information. Instead of learning many scattered facts, we tasted the flavor of chemistry. We didn't know at what temperature a catalytic cracking unit operates, but we could feel the moles of reactants being converted into moles of products. We didn't know the asphalt content of California oil, but we were old friends with the ideal gas law. Problem solving became a way of life, pH's and the molar concept became part of us, and on the side we learned an amazing number of facts and figures which we would never be tested on." Raymond T. Byrne, Batavia High School, Batavia, N.Y., has a classroom that contains what appears to be a hopeless mass of apparatus, much of which is improvised, but all of which is needed for his lectures. Many of his examinations are open book, and his students are trained not to pass examinations but to enjoy solving problems. In experiments, Byrne's aim is to establish "conditions so controlled that a legitimate conclusion can be based on the observed data." In addition to being a teachers' teacher, he is a students' teacher and his life has been one of service to those fortunate enough to be in his classes. Byrne has had two leaves of absence from his school. The first was to assist in preparing a filmed course on modern high school chemistry for the Encyclopaedia Brittanica. The course consisted of 160 films each 30 minutes long. Later he assisted in the NBC television series, "Continental Classroom." Also he has taught CHEM Study techniques in Poona, India, and in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hiroshima, Japan. Elaine M. Kilbourne, Anacostia High School, Washington, D.C., presents chemistry with an unusual amount of imagination and stimulation that arouses enthusiasm among her students. Since 1952, she has sponsored 14 honors winners and two finalists among the top 40 winners in the Westinghouse Science Talent Search, even though her school is in a less favored social-economic district. 6 CHEMISTRY VOL 40 NO 4 [[4 images]] Theodore E. Molitor Elaine M. Kilbourne Elaine W. Ledbetter Harry C. Taylor Throughout the nation during the past 17 years only 61 teachers have had more than two students among the top 40 winners. Added to this, she has written bout 10 student science projects printed by the Government Printing Office under the title "FDA Chemistry Projects." These have had wide distribution and are used by many schools throughout the country. Before overhead projectors became available commercially, Miss Kilbourne used one which, with help from her students, she designed and built herself. In teaching, she uses a pinball machine-type model, also of her own design, to illustrate the order in which electrons fill atomic shells as atomic number increases. She requires routinely that her students read scientific journals. For her excellence in teaching she has received many awards. Elaine W. Ledbetter, Pampa High School, Pampa, Texas, young in heart, enthusiastic, has a zest for learning as a student as well as a teacher. Of her students who have successfully pursued advanced study she says, "I cannot claim in any way that their success is a result of being in my classes. They were talented young people to begin with, and they had many capable teachers." Her professional activities have been many. She is a former president of the Science Teachers' Association of Texas and in 1962-4 was secretary of the National Science Teachers' Association. In 1961, she was given the Woman of Achievement Award by the Altrusa Club of Pampa, and in 1965, the High School Chemistry Teacher Award of the Texas Chemical Council. Also in 1965, the National Education Association named her Texas State Teacher of the year. Mrs. Ledbetter is also a poet, having published two books of poetry and original photographs, "Triumphant Moment" and "Candles at Noon." In addition, she has published in the Journal of Educational Research, and is the co-author of an introductory textbook of physical science, "Matter and Energy-the Fabric of the Universe." Theodore E. Molitor, Alexander Ramsey Senior High School, Roseville, Minn., has an unusual ability to enchant his students with the world of chemistry. In fact, his school had to double the size of its chemistry department because so many students wanted to study under him. Participants in his classes do well in college, and those who do not pursue advanced study frequently comment on the value of his chemistry courses in their everyday lives. Since 1953, Molitor has advocated open-end experiments and subsequently worked closely with the developers of CHEM Study. He has been active in maintaining an interest in chemistry and has consistently devoted an evening or two each week and Saturday morning to those who want to do project work. Many of his students have won science project awards at the regional and state level. Molitor has organized science teachers in his area for monthly meetings to demonstrate teaching concepts. The project has been popular and teachers from considerable distances have asked to participate. Twice he traveled to the West Coast to demonstrate teaching methods and a year ago he worked for a week with the State Department of Education demonstrating his methods at other schools. Last year he taught chemistry teachers in India. Harry C. Taylor, North Fulton High School, Atlanta, Ga., a warmhearted and enthusiastic teacher, says that his next big project is to obtain a Ph.D. in chemistry, even though his original training is 30 years out of date and most teachers in his position would call such a goal idiotic. He believes that the student's mind is a torch to be lighted rather than a vessel to be filled, and his objective is to arouse interest and stimulate the imagination. In his courses, Taylor establishes a pace for the slightly above average students and assists their weaker classmates to achieve a satisfactory minimum. The more able students he encourages to go as far as they wish. He has been active in getting CHEM Study adopted throughout Georgia and has advised teachers who tried to introduce the program. Also, he has lectured to numerous groups of high school and college teachers and administrators on CHEM Study. Taylor, whose military decorations include the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart, has dedicated his life to high school students. Not long ago, when offered a teaching post and a much higher salary at a junior college in his area, he refused, saying simply that he can do more good where he is. APRIL 1967 CHEMISTRY 7
