COUNTY'S TOP TEACHERS: 20-YEAR VETERAN MAKES SCIENCE REAL.Byline: Karen Maeshiro Daily News Staff Writer Joe Walker Middle School science teacher Wesley Thomas (language) Thomas - A language compatible with the language Dylan(TM). Thomas is NOT Dylan(TM). The first public release of a translator to Scheme by Matt Birkholz, Jim Miller, and Ron Weiss, written at Digital Equipment Corporation's Cambridge Research Laboratory runs uses Rolaids, baking soda baking soda: see sodium bicarbonate. and vinegar vinegar, sour liquid consisting mainly of acetic acid and water, produced by the action of bacteria on dilute solutions of ethyl alcohol derived from previous yeast fermentation. to demonstrate principals in chemistry. He sets up experiments that allow students to conduct scientific inquiry on their own in the laboratory or outside of the classroom. ``In today's world, the challenge is to make (science) real to them and give them situations where they can apply it and use it, and stay away from just reading it out of a book,'' said Thomas, 52, an educator for more than 20 years. Colleagues say Thomas' love and enthusiasm for science is what makes him a good teacher, one who was named Westside Union School District's Teacher of the Year. Thomas also was named one of 12 top educators in Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. County on Tuesday. He received the honor As a verb, to accept a bill of exchange, or to pay a note, check, or accepted bill, at maturity. To pay or to accept and pay, or, where a credit so engages, to purchase or discount a draft complying with the terms of the draft. at a special ceremony held by the Los Angeles County Office of Education in Glendale. He and the other 11 teachers now advance to the state teacher of the year competition. ``It's pretty overwhelming, and it's very much a humbling hum·ble adj. hum·bler, hum·blest 1. Marked by meekness or modesty in behavior, attitude, or spirit; not arrogant or prideful. 2. type of thing,'' Thomas said. ``I'm excited for that recognition and excited for the fact that it really represents a strong district and a district that supports its teachers.'' Joe Walker Principal Martha Hurlburt praised Thomas' dedication to his students and to his job, where he puts in many hours beyond a normal working day. ``He has a great enthusiasm that children pick up on in his teaching. His love of science comes through and is kind of infectious. They become interested and they do more,'' Hurlburt said. Under his guidance as one of the advisers of the school's Science Olympiad Science olympiad may refer to:
County education officials said Thomas' passion for science is so deep that he has gotten the community involved. ``He developed a district-wide science day,'' said Jean Cantor, a regional coordinator with the Office of Education. ``He brought the community into the Science Olympiad. It's a community project. He got support from community groups and governmental agencies. He got people from the community to be Olympiad coaches.'' Cantor added, ``He provides safety and structure to allow students to take intellectual risks in the science laboratory.'' A resident of Lancaster, Thomas has taught at Joe Walker since 1974. Before that, he taught for four years in the Mojave Unified School District A unified school district is a school district which includes both primary school (kindergarten through middle school or junior high) and high school (grades 9-12). In Illinois, these districts are called unit school districts. . The son of an ordained or·dain tr.v. or·dained, or·dain·ing, or·dains 1. a. To invest with ministerial or priestly authority; confer holy orders on. b. To authorize as a rabbi. 2. Nazarene minister and a school secretary, Thomas said he decided in college that he wanted to become a teacher. ``I felt like from my background and interests, it was something I would enjoy doing, my interest in science and in people and being helpful,'' Thomas said. ``I felt it was something I would be successful at.'' He received a bachelor's degree in biological science from what was then Pasadena Nazarene College. He also has a master's in administration from Azusa Pacific University External links
Thomas said he enjoys being able to see students succeed and find things that are exciting and interesting to them. ``In science, with the competition and challenges that we give to the kids, to see them go through the whole process of growing and achievement, those are the fun things that make it worth it,'' Thomas said. CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO (Color) Award-winning science teacher Wesley Thomas helps seventh-graders Christina Hernandez, 11, left, and Brynn Metheney, 12. Shaun Dyer/Special to the Daily News |
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