Jessica (Tomlin) Carpenter, a member of the Class of 2015 with a degree in Biology, received her M.Ed. in Secondary Science Curriculum and Instruction from McDaniel College in 2017. She is employed by Fairfax County Schools, Fairfax, VA, as a Biology (Life Science) Teacher and Curriculum Team Leader.
What role did her years at Messiah College play in equipping her to teach biology to high school students? “During my time at Messiah, I worked as a biology and chemistry tutor for high school students and volunteered at the Oakes Museum. I was connected to these programs through professors at the college. It was through these positions, along with opportunities as a TA [Teaching Assistant] and an SI [Supplemental Instruction] leader in the biology & chemistry departments, that I realized my passion for science education. My coursework at Messiah prepared me with the content knowledge that I needed to feel comfortable in the classroom……but it was the hands-on style of Messiah's biology courses and the dedication of my professors that helped me discover why I wanted to become a teacher and the type of teacher I wanted to be.”
Jessica is already seeing God at work in her classroom. “At various times, I have had students tell me that my class is the reason they decided to apply to our county's specialized science school or that they want to become a doctor when they're older, that they didn't know school could be fun, that they feel more confident in themselves... God is constantly showing me just how much of a difference I am making. God works through me as I try to make my classroom a safe environment for my students, as I meet with parents to discuss accommodations that could help students be more successful, even as I help my colleagues design more engaging lessons. God has put me in roles that I sometimes see as being more than I can handle……but I have found these roles to challenge me in a positive way and have helped me to make my instruction more meaningful for the students. ”