“Getting people to see how incredible the world around us is was so validating and joyful and it made me feel really good to help other people get that sense of awe and wonder,” said Ms. Lassar, a Biology and AP Environmental Science teacher at B-CC.
Ever since learning about the wonders of the world, Ms. Lassar has dedicated her life to sharing her knowledge and appreciation for modern science. She enjoys the challenge of breaking down boundaries between her and her students to best prepare them for the AP exam that will take place in May.
“My ultimate goal is that every student learns everything that I want them to learn, but the most common barrier to that is classroom management and making sure that every student is in a place where they are actively participating and learning.”
Ms. Lassar works closely with students, getting them to be the best versions of themselves, academically and socially. As a teacher, she wants her students to be open and actively participating in learning, and to see the evidence of a sense of community amongst her students.
Ms. Lassar is also passionate about limiting cell phone usage. “Keeping my classroom a very focused and productive space” is a priority for Lassar. “Some students get frustrated with the structure at first and then it takes the whole semester, or the whole year even, to realize that they were more productive without the distraction of their phone.”
According to the Pew Research Center, 72% of high school teachers believe that phones are a major distraction in their classrooms. Some students find it very difficult to set down their phones and pay attention to their teachers, who want them to succeed both in and outside of school. Another year-long objective of Ms. Lassar’s is to ensure that her students recognize that the key to any AP class, specifically hers, is to start preparing from day one.
“The AP exam should not feel like anything massively different than what students have been experiencing in the class … Start incorporating content from every single unit and tying it all together.” Ms. Lassar adds.
If prioritized and completed responsibly, the growing number of cumulative tests and complex assignments should help familiarize students with the format of the AP exam. The College Board believes that with the curriculum they have provided, students will learn about time management and study skills that could be used in college and future career successes. Overall, Ms. Lassar’s preparation and planning are generally well-received by her students; mostly due to the high levels of enthusiasm and excitement she brings into the classroom every day. It is important to Ms. Lassar that she keeps in mind what made her want to be a teacher in the first place: “Starting from middle school I realized I just really loved explaining things to other people, but especially science things, and I felt amazing when I could get somebody to understand a cool concept.”
Ms. Lassar hopes to eventually reach the point in her teaching career where she can say that she successfully has daily positive takeaways, but until then she will continue to work hard to reap such benefits.
