When Nora Gathje received the Minnesota Science Teacher Association’s (MnSTA) award for Science Teacher of the Year, no one was surprised, especially her students.
“Mrs. Gathje is a remarkable teacher,” said Izzy Berg, a sophomore at Chatfield High School. “She thoroughly explains the concepts of science to everyone who takes her classes. I know this firsthand. When I’m having difficulty, Mrs. Gathje takes extra time to help me grasp it. She also makes science fun, and for that, she is well-deserving of this award!”
Gathje has been teaching for more than 20 years, with the last decade at Chatfield. She knew she wanted to be a teacher at a very young age. “When I was in first grade, I would make up math worksheets for my younger sister,” Gathje said. “I would make her do them, then enjoyed correcting them and putting a grade at the top of the paper.”
It was in ninth grade that Gathje fell in love with biology. “I read the textbook cover to cover in my spare time and highlighted the entire glossary in rainbow markers,” she said. “Everything was so interesting. I kept asking more questions and couldn’t study it all fast enough. I was hungry to learn how all of nature was connected and how the human body worked in health and disease.”
Gathje was nominated for the teaching award by a former colleague from when she taught at John Marshall High School in Rochester. Once her nomination was accepted, she was invited to apply. There were seven parts to the application, including a resume, pictures of classroom projects, descriptions of her teaching philosophy, and a grant proposal for the monetary part of the award. From there, the MnSTA executive board made their selection.
“I received a plaque and $1,000 for a classroom project that I had to propose as part of the application. I will use the money for my ‘Green Team’ initiative. My environmental science students are working on a comprehensive recycling program at our school. The goal of this behavior modification project is to reduce the amount of garbage students generate, in hopes that they will become more mindful of their impact on the environment.”
Gathje studied many different science subjects throughout her schooling and felt it would be selfish to keep all of that amazing knowledge to herself. Her original major in college was biology on a pre-med track. However, instead of becoming a doctor, she felt she could have a greater influence on inspiring students to go into medicine and related fields.
“I have actually indirectly imparted knowledge and influenced many of my students to enter the health care field. It is an exponential return on my educational investment. I love teaching high school because I can really teach a lot of high-level chemistry and biology content, as well as do real-world science experiments with my students.”
According to Gathje, teaching science is like constantly trying to hit a moving target. There are always new ideas about how science should be taught, not to mention the accumulation of scientific data is constantly changing. “I’m on the lookout for new experiences for my students all the time. The only constant in science teaching is change. I have taught at least 12 different science courses so far in my career. I pride myself on an innovative curriculum.”
Gathje said that her mother was always there to encourage her to be curious and to try her best in school. Her mom guided her when she needed an essay topic or a project idea in school and taught her how to write well. “I loved school and that’s why I’ve never left. I’ve always been at peace with my decision to become a teacher. It is a very rewarding career, and it is as natural to me as breathing. My classroom is my second home.”
If anyone is considering teaching, Gathje’s advice is to understand that to be effective you need to wear many different hats — entertainer, mentor, motivator, content expert, presenter, classroom manager, and coach. “Commit to constant improvement,” she said. “And enjoy getting to know the students along the way!”
Gathje recalls something that was said to her when she was a student teacher. Her supervising teacher asked her if she was enjoying the students. “I remember that I was taken back because I had lost sight that students deserve to have a relationship with their teachers,” Gathje said. “Since that day, I have made it my priority to really get to know my students. That one sentiment sticks with me every day as I step into my classroom. I want to make a positive impact on more than just their knowledge. I want them to know that I care.”
Gathje has a Bachelor of Science degree from LeMoyne College in Syracuse, N.Y., a Master’s of Science in Immunology from Mayo Clinic and a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Life Science Teaching from Winona State University.
Andy, her husband of 22 years, is a dairy, beef and crop farmer. They have three children: Andrew, 20, studies dairy science at the University of Wisconsin River Falls; Bennett, 18, studies agricultural science at South Dakota State University and Henry is a sophomore at Chatfield High School.
Photo submitted