First-year teacher Emily Knaus has taken on the biology and anatomy classroom for freshman and seniors this semester – which is fitting because Knaus had originally planned to be a physical therapist.
Knaus went to college to earn her undergraduate degree in exercise science to be a physical therapist, but this plan turned when people kept telling her that she should consider being a teacher.
“I got into a classroom where I observed, and I had a high school biology teacher who was a nun, tell me that after four hours of being there, that I needed to rethink my vocation in teaching,” Knaus said.
So Knaus took the advice and went to acquire her master’s degree in education. As a first time teacher, she tries to balance staying organized and making class fun.
“I think biology is more hands-on learning,” Knaus said. “It’s a lot more like discovering things through situations, so that’s how I try to teach it instead of just saying, ‘Hey, this is what the term biology means.’”
From teaching anatomy to seniors and biology to freshmen, there are multiple topics to teach and grade.
“I really just try to get myself organized and put an agenda anywhere that we can see it so that I stay on track and students know what is expected of them,” Knaus said.
When students walk into Knaus’ room, they see bins for each of her classes to turn in papers. This is one among several ways that she helps herself stay organized.
“It seems kind of old school, but going right in order is the only way that I keep them in order,” Knaus said.
Knaus said she enjoys the fact that she gets to teach something that she is passionate about to younger and older students. Since she went to school to become a physical therapist, it is suitable that she teaches anatomy for seniors.
“I like the other end of the spectrum as well,” Knaus said. “Right now I’m teaching only seniors in anatomy, and it’s really fun because we do a lot of hands-on stuff.”
Trying to engage most of her students and helping them to have fun while still learning the content is something that Knaus said she likes doing. She has interactive ways for her activities to show how it works and or where it is in the body for anatomy.
“I try to incorporate food as much as possible because kids love food,” Knaus said.
Knaus has had help along the way toward becoming a biology and anatomy teacher. Knaus student taught with science teacher Mary Beth Summers last spring to gain a feel for the environment. One of the things she loves about teaching freshmen is she has the chance to help them figure out how to manage high school and set all her students up for success.
“Sometimes I think the life skills that they learn as freshmen are more important than the content itself,” Knaus said.
Going a Different Way: First-time teacher takes on a different career then planned
Hannah Storey, Contributor
December 10, 2023
First-year biology and anatomy teacher Emily Knaus teaches anatomy students the muscular system. Knaus first went to college to become a physical therapist.
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