Head down. Falling asleep. Struggling to keep your eyes open. Walking through the halls, feeling the weight on your shoulders drag you down. Airpods in. Music on. Just getting through the day.
Until you walk into Room 221. Biology and Principles of Biomedical Science teacher Bekki Kirchhofer immediately engages with students and suddenly things change. The weight on your shoulders is lifted, the Airpods come out and the music goes off. That is a sign of a teacher who changes lives.
“I think she’s a really sweet teacher and she really cares about other people’s (students) learning and their ability to complete things…” Sophie Hiller (10) said.
Many students tend to believe that teachers prioritize curriculum and assessments over building positive relationships with their students. This can lead them to become discouraged and think negatively toward school. However, many students believe that Kirchhofer makes a deeper connection with them and makes them feel welcomed in her class. This motivates them to work harder and to be more present.
“She encourages students to be the best version of themselves. She has completely changed my perspective on school…” Julia Cerimovic (10) said. “She makes me feel important when other teachers don’t really notice me.”
While many students appreciate her approach to teaching, Kirchhofer appreciates students who come to class prepared to learn.
“…My favorite courses are courses that are filled with students who love to learn and who want to be in class and participate in a positive and meaningful way…” Kirchhofer said.
Many teachers may be focused on just getting through the lesson, but for Kirchhofer, her mindset is different. She didn’t always plan on being a teacher. First, she was majoring in nursing and soon realized the severity of pressure that healthcare workers fall under.
“…I changed majors and earned a degree in science education because that path incorporated the aspects of nursing that I found most appealing including science and teaching,” Kirchhofer said.
She not only is teaching because she wants to help students, but also because she wants them to take away meaningful sentiments.
“Put your best effort forward every time you do something…” Kirchhofer said, “even if your best effort at that particular moment in time isn’t your ‘best.’”
Even though Kirchoffer may be the teacher in her classroom, the students are not the only ones learning.
“Teaching gives me a window into the future and keeps me connected to the rest of the world,” Kirchhofer said. “On some days, I learn more from the students than they learn from me.”
