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Ms. Becherer
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Here is a little information about me....
This is my 13th year of teaching Biology at Belleville East. I am also teaching Wildlife Biology again for the first time in nearly 10 years! I enjoy teaching both classes because Biology is required and Wildlife Biology is an elective - so I can help everyone get closer to their high school graduation while developing a knowledge base of biological concepts. Wildlife Biology is fun to teach because we can explore interesting organisms and their environment. When I last taught Wildlife Biology, we built a prairie planting at the intersection of West Boulevard with Carlyle Avenue, we had several student poems about fish and amphibians published in the Belleville East school newspaper, and had several students place in the 2001 River's Edge contest at the St. Louis Zoo. Students also completed conservation projects on their own time building bird houses, feeding wildlife, picking up litter, mulching leaves, and many, many more neat projects! I can't wait to see what will be accomplished this year with my students!
I love teaching in the Science Department because I work with amazing colleagues, and I love the new students I meet each year! Learning Biological Science is fascinating to me. I served as the Student Council Adviser for 6 years, but felt a bit frazzled at times, so I surrendered the position. I am still a committee member for National Honor Society, the Student to Staff Renaissance Committee, the Belleville East Scholarship Committee and Student of the Month. I also organize student volunteers to help with paper recycling on campus. Occasionally, I help with Saturday detention and I like to work at the football and basketball games. I taught summer school Science for District 201 every other summer since before I was officially hired as a full-time teacher. I love being part of B.E. and hope to be teaching at East for many years to come. I agree with our slogan, "It's a great place to learn, a great place to BE."
My qualifications? I have a Bachelor's degree in Biological Science (1996) and a Master of Science degree in Secondary Education (2001) from Southern Illinois University. I still take classes to further my education because I know there is always more I can learn. I am a member of the National Association of Biology Teachers, National Science Teachers Association, the SIUE School of Education's Academy of Fellows, and the National Wildlife Federation, among other environmental and animal welfare organizations. Some of my biggest honors were to receive the Employee of the Month in 2001 and the SIUE Excellence in Teaching Award for Science in 2003. I was nominated for the Outstanding Biology Teacher Award in 2007, and was also named to Who's Who Among America's Teachers in 2007. I am currently in the process of becoming a National Board Certified Teacher. I have turned in my portfolio and taken my test, so I am waiting to hear my resulting scores due in by December 2009.
If there is advice I would pass on to students today, I would encourage them to take the most challenging classes rather than opting out for one that is easier because education is something no one can ever take away. And, to surround yourself with quality people. Both are an investment in your future. Plus, it usually leads to more choices in one's future and a more successful democracy of educated citizens - both as consumers and voters - so all of society benefits. Statistics clearly show formal education is linked to happiness, health and wealth as a general rule. Secondly, I would encourage kids to find a career in life that leads to happiness rather than simply chasing money, which is incredibly important to feeling fulfilled and successful for many years. It is SO rewarding to be happy with your life. Thankfully, I can say I am!
Ms. Becherer
Belleville District 201
East Campus
2555 West Blvd.
Belleville, IL 62221
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