A Creative Approach

By DENNIS J. CARROLL, PHOTO BY LUIS SNCHEZ SATURNO

POJOAQUE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Instructor named science teacher of the year by N.M. Academy of Science

The secret to teaching science to 12- and 13-year-olds is to get them thinking that they are actually playing instead of just doing boring old learning, according to Pojoaque Valley middle school teacher Karen Griego-Kraig.

When students in her classes think they are playing with baking soda and vinegar in a plastic bag, they are actually examining various states of matter and seeing the differences between endothermic and exothermic reactions.

It’s that kind of creative, inspiring attitude over 25 years of teaching, most of it at the middle school, that recently helped earn Griego-Kraig the New Mexico Academy of Science’s Outstanding Secondary-School Science Teacher for 2007.

She was presented the award Saturday at an academy banquet at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science in Albuquerque.

Each year the academy honors two teachers with the award, a high school or middle school teacher and an elementary teacher.

Griego-Kraig “employs creative approaches to teaching by getting her student(s) involved in measuring, building, creating, exploring, and presenting their learning experiences,” academy officials said. “Of her teaching, it is said that she ‘paints with such vibrant color, inspires wonder, and applauds a child’s every effort.’ “

She was nominated by principal, Eileen Chavez, who said Griego- Kraig’s “flexibility in working with students, teachers, and the public has earned her an enviable reputation as an excellent teacher who truly cares about the students and science.”

Griego-Kraig, who is retiring at the end of this school year, said she was shocked and flattered to receive the award. “There are so many, many worthy teachers,” she said.

She teaches five classes —

that’s about 130 students — at the middle school, and has been there for 23 years. Before Pojoaque, she taught science for two years at Pecos high and middle schools.

Griego-Kraig said she still enjoys the challenge of teaching middle-school students because they don’t know what they want out of life yet and apply their high energy levels into the process of learning.

“I try to teach all kids regardless of their academic abilities,” Griego-Kraig said. “I try to teach them to learn, to ask questions, and to respond with critical thinking.”

In science class, everyone learns something, even if it’s just how not to get burned with a candle, she said.

Chavez also described Griego-Kraig as a mentor to her colleagues, guiding them in classroom management and student engagement. “She is the conscience of the middle school in conservation of paper and other recyclable materials,” Chavez said.

Griego-Kraig also organizes a Science and Math Olympics at the school. Most recently students were challenged to build a wind- powered vehicle using straws, tape and paper.

Her husband, David, an environmental health scientist and geophysicist, has inspired Griego-Kraig over the years.

“Before Google, he was my resource,” she joked.

As part of her award, Griego-Kraig received $250 from the Central New Mexico Section of the American Chemical Society, and gifts from the Museum of Natural History and Science.

(c) 2007 The Santa Fe New Mexican. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.