Ross to continue study, teaching at Pitt
Interview by Dan Rzewnicki , Editor in Chief
April 18, 2011
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Former biology and ecology teacher at Leechburg, Danielle Ross has spent much of this school year on the other side of the desk at the University of Pittsburgh.
On a one-year unpaid leave of absence, Ross has been working towards a doctorate at Pitt. While doing research, she has also been teaching graduate science education classes and working with student teachers.
Ross said she had chosen to return to school to learn to teach more effectively and much of her research has been focused on improving teacher education. Ross said there are definitely better ways for students to be taught science material, but most of those methods are not practiced in classrooms.
The class sizes Ross said she experiences now in graduate courses at Pitt are similar to that of Leechburg’s, but she added that the atmosphere is far different. She said, given her students are usually around 26 years old, that they are generally much more motivated and mature than high school students, not only because of age but also because they are paying for their education and realize what their degrees mean to them. But, she also added, “I loved teaching high school students. I liked building relationships as well as mentoring the students.”
In the future, Ross will continue to work on her dissertation and will continue to teach graduate education classes. So, while she will not be returning to Leechburg, Pitt-bound science education majors may be receiving a second dose of Danielle Ross in the future.
[comments]
| Best wishes as Ross moves on |
Posted by "Melinda McCorkle" on April 23, at 1:01 p.m.
I actually really like Ms. Ross as a teacher. I really learned a lot. Even now, in Biology II, I still remember all of the stuff I learned from Ms. Ross. But, I'm glad she is moving on to higher levels of teaching.
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| Missing Ross |
Posted by "Morgan Ceschini" on April 20, at 6:05 p.m.
I am so sad that Ms. Ross wasn't here this school year. :( I thought she was a great teacher and a funny person. I hope she comes back to visit some time.
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