Earth Science by Ray Pavlik

One of the best parts of working at CCHS is that I get to work with students from the Pathways program.  Fifteen years ago, I threw out an idea to Tom Keane, “Let’s put our Pathways students into Honors Earth Science classes, what do you think?”  The results have been amazing and show the positive benefits that all students experience when a classroom becomes inclusive. The Pathways students are truly the best and bring such a great energy and positive spirit to class everyday.  Their enthusiasm is contagious and makes the entire class a better place.  Without question, this partnership has fostered some of my most positive teaching and learning experiences.

Recently, a former Pathways student, Denis Lin, passed away.  Denis was an outstanding student whose work earned him departmental honors in earth science.  He later became my TA. He LOVED Earth Science.  Many of his classmates and students that he TA’d for have reached out to express their sadness and to say how much he added to their experience in earth science. 

Here is a picture of first year Pathways student Nicholas Wong working on an impact lab with his group.  Nicholas helped throughout the lab, but when the group needed help with the calculations, Nicholas stepped up and put his strong math skills to work and led the group through the calculations.

Here is second year student Sam Neville working with his group during our weathering and erosion lab, taking his turn to “get his shake on.”

Myself and 2013 year student Lauren Brown on the summer earth science trip to Yellowstone National Park!