By Natalie Hill, centerspread editor

Video by Kristin Hart, KCBY member

It has been said before by teachers that after class, they have their own life. They’ve said that once we leave the classroom, they are done with work. Some have said that this is just a job, of little importance to them.

CHS biology and Student Council sponsor Sunny Richardson says otherwise.

Richardson, who applied to the Siemens STEM (Science, technology, engineering, mathematics) Summer Institute on Friday April 16, is continuing her own education to indirectly better her students.

I’ll be able to bring back information and ideas that I have gained as share with all the academy and non-academy teachers in preparation for all of CHS’s teachers to implement in our classrooms,” Richardson said. “Through this immersion of science, technology, engineering and mathematical concepts in the classroom, students will be better prepared with transferable skills to make them successful in future classes and career and life choices.”

The STEM program is of no mystery to Coppell, as CHS is basing one of the academies off of the program evolving around sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics. In her application that she sent to Siemens STEM Institute, Richardson said, “The Siemens Institute affords me an unmatched opportunity in my 2010-2011 teaching preparation.  This training and preparation is paramount to the success of my students and, in turn, the success of our learning communities.”

Located just outside of Washington D.C., Richardson and the 49 other chosen educators would be touring and learning from locations such as the Department of Energy, the Center for Disease Control, the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration, and NASA.

Richardson feels that her enthusiasm and love for teaching qualifies her to be chosen for the institution.

“I will uniquely contribute to the experience of my fellow participants through sheer enthusiasm for what I do and I am learning,” Richardson said in her application.

Though she doesn’t know when she will discover whether she has been accepted to the institute yet, she is looking forward to the experience that Siemens STEM has to offer.

Unlike the teachers who simply leave their job after the bell rings, Richardson is devoted to, not only better her students, but also better herself through education. She concluded her application to Siemens STEM institute in saying, “In group work, I naturally fill the roles of leader, supporter, innovator and life-long learner. I will willfully and happily step up in any capacity to maintain and promote the success of the group.”

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