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Ms. Becherer
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Here is a little information about me....
This is my 15th year of teaching Biology at Belleville East. I am teaching Biology and Wildlife Biology again this year. I enjoy teaching both classes because Biology is required for graduation, and Wildlife Biology is an elective - so I can help everyone develop a knowledge base of biological concepts. Wildlife Biology is fun to teach because we can explore interesting organisms and their environment. In Wildlife Biology, we have 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 campus 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 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 teach summer school Science for District 201 about 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. I enjoy coordinating our annual Honors Ceremony at the end of each school year. Personally, 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. 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 KNOWLEDGE IS POWER! And, surround yourself with quality people. Both are an investment in the future, and these usually lead to more choices in life. As Governor Quinn said recently, "Education is the key to opportunity in a democracy." 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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