Hononegah High School teacher makes science 21st century materia - WREX.com – Rockford’s News Leader

Hononegah High School teacher makes science 21st century material

DNA and fossils. These are just a few of the topics that one high school science teacher makes sure her students understand and relate to everyday life. I caught up with Mrs. Maggie Moore, as she explained complex science methods, in this week's teacher of the week.

"I always say if I can have somebody look me in the eye, make a connection with them, and just being myself," says Mrs. Moore, a Biology and Earth Science teacher at Hononegah High School. "That's what makes the difference."

Moore has been teaching science for 15 years, and with our constantly-changing world, she's forced to keep her subject current.

"I try to relate what we are learning about to their life," says Moore. "That's also what makes me try to keep it current because I have to know what their life is like."

To do that, she compares 21st century topics, that her kids might think about on a daily basis, to topics in class, like fossils.

"I compare those to cell phones, because everyone has them," Moore says. "They're all over the place. They've only existed in a short period of time, and so if you can make those connections, and then they're like 'Oh, I get it', it helps."

Principal Hencsik says her ability to get on her students' level is what sets her apart.

"Obviously having kids nominate her for Teacher of the Week, that speaks volumes to what she does in the classroom," Principal Hencsik. "Just observing her informally, and just interactions with kids, and you know just the way she can make kids understand biology in a way to make it relevant to them is what makes her special."

And after all of her years of teaching, she hopes to continue, with no end in sight.