Hello. My name is Alisa Slavens and I will be teaching Pre-AP biology and Pathophysiology/Med Micro this year. This will be my forth year at The Colony High School, it will be my 15th year in education, and my 10th year as a formal science education teacher. Prior to teaching at The Colony High School I taught at MacArthur High School in Irving, Texas. Prior to entering formal education, I worked in informal education for 5 years at the Dallas Zoo.
I knew at a young age that I either wanted to work with animals or children so I received my bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science (pre-vet/pre-med) through Texas A&M University, originally with the intent of either doing veterinary medicine or pediatrics. The opportunity arose for me to work with both animals and children at the Dallas Zoo where I got to train animals for use in education programs and teach (mostly children) about the animals. After 5 years working with many formal education teachers (mostly in summer camps), I decided that teaching in a formal education environment was something I wanted to pursue. I went into formal education and sought getting my masters of science in Life and Chemical Science through the University of Maryland.
I absolutely love teaching science education. So much so, that in the fall of 2013 I began my PhD in Science Education through Texas Tech University. I am currenlty working on my dissertation and hope to graduate next spring.
I am a strong believer in hands on science and learning through inquiry. Consequently, your student will be spending a considerable amount of time doing activities and in the laboratory. Additionally, I believe that technology is increasing every day and therefore students need to be technologically savvy in every area of learning including science, therefore, my Pre-AP Biology class operates as a paperless classroom (not to mention as a biology teacher, I like to try to practice what I preach regarding conservation or resources). With that said, I grade students based solely on biology content and not on their technological ability/inability. Technology is merely a tool to aid in learning.
This summer I had the unfortunate experience of contracting a Streptococcus B infection in my knee whose orgin remains a mystery. I spent 6-weeks in the hospital and had 5 surgeries. I’m still in the process of learning to walk again and will be navigating my classroom with a cane, on a walker and/or in a wheelchair. Additionally, I will occassionally miss class for medical followups.
I look forward to working with your student this year and please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions and/or concerns!
Sincerely,
Alisa Slavens
I knew at a young age that I either wanted to work with animals or children so I received my bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science (pre-vet/pre-med) through Texas A&M University, originally with the intent of either doing veterinary medicine or pediatrics. The opportunity arose for me to work with both animals and children at the Dallas Zoo where I got to train animals for use in education programs and teach (mostly children) about the animals. After 5 years working with many formal education teachers (mostly in summer camps), I decided that teaching in a formal education environment was something I wanted to pursue. I went into formal education and sought getting my masters of science in Life and Chemical Science through the University of Maryland.
I absolutely love teaching science education. So much so, that in the fall of 2013 I began my PhD in Science Education through Texas Tech University. I am currenlty working on my dissertation and hope to graduate next spring.
I am a strong believer in hands on science and learning through inquiry. Consequently, your student will be spending a considerable amount of time doing activities and in the laboratory. Additionally, I believe that technology is increasing every day and therefore students need to be technologically savvy in every area of learning including science, therefore, my Pre-AP Biology class operates as a paperless classroom (not to mention as a biology teacher, I like to try to practice what I preach regarding conservation or resources). With that said, I grade students based solely on biology content and not on their technological ability/inability. Technology is merely a tool to aid in learning.
This summer I had the unfortunate experience of contracting a Streptococcus B infection in my knee whose orgin remains a mystery. I spent 6-weeks in the hospital and had 5 surgeries. I’m still in the process of learning to walk again and will be navigating my classroom with a cane, on a walker and/or in a wheelchair. Additionally, I will occassionally miss class for medical followups.
I look forward to working with your student this year and please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions and/or concerns!
Sincerely,
Alisa Slavens