Teacher of the Day: Kim Waite

Today's teacher is Kim Waite. This is Kim's first year teaching at SEP.

Kim teaches "To Infinity and Beyond" and "What's Poppin,'" both for 5th and 6th graders.

What's your class like? Can you describe it for us?

In To Infinity and Beyond students consider the overarching question, “How can our Solar System sustain life?” As students study the solar system and the universe engage in their own learning, through hands-on, inquiry based projects that focus on students designing their own solutions to problem situations similar to those encountered by real scientists and engineers. Students research a celestial body and then present their research. They conduct investigations such as water and soil testing. They also engage in engineering aspects of our study by designing and building robotic arms, space crafts, rovers and rockets and more.

In What’s Poppin’, students extend their learning through a series of observations, experiments, readings and research centered on the theme of popcorn. First this study addresses the abilities of inquiry by guiding students through an investigation of why popcorn pops. Then students design and conduct their own safe, fair, repeatable experiments to test various popcorn brands and finally, they communicate their explanations and procedures through a poster session with scientifically accurate diagrams. In week two, using Sandra Kaplan’s depth and complexity model, students add a layer to learning as they research the history, ethics and other issues of popcorn. By incorporating these thinking tools, something as simple as popcorn becomes intriguing.

What's something about you someone might not expect if they didn't know you well?

I was born missing 11 permanent teeth. I went through many years of orthodontics and unfortunately passed this trait onto my daughter who is missing 13 permanent teeth.

What made you want to teach at SEP?

I am currently taking graduate classes at UVA in gifted education and work with gifted students in my county. I thought working at SEP would be a natural fit for my experience and interests.

What do you think is the most difficult part of the job?

It’s always hard to say goodbye to students at the end of a session. Though I love getting to meet new students, it feels like you just get to know a group and then the session comes to a close. I am happy to see so many students enjoy SEP and want to return. I look forward to seeing students again next year.

What do you think is the most rewarding part of the job?

Absolutely, the students! I love working with and getting to know the students.

What do you know about gifted education?

I have been working with gifted programs for many years and love students who challenge me to learn and grow.

Given infinite supplies and opportunities, what sort of class would you teach?

Wow, that’s a hard question because there are so many things I would like to teach and learn about. I would love to do an intercultural exchange program with American students and students from another country. We could learn from each other by visiting each other’s culture and then work cooperatively on a joint endeavor. Our world is getting smaller every day. With growing technologies and global issues that affect us all, learning to collaborate will be essential for our future.

What's your biggest pet peeve?

When kids say, “I’m bored!” If you’re bored, that’s your choice. Do something about it!