Carol Buhler-McMahan

I am excited for an amazing year of learning and growing in middle school science. Here's a little bit about me:

 

I grew up in Arlington Heights, IL, where I attended elementary, middle and high school. I received my Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in science and a minor in English Literature from Eastern Illinois University in 1999. I received my science credentials from University of Chicago.  I hold an Illinois elementary education teaching certificate with a middle school endorsement in language arts and science.  I began my teaching career in Buffalo Grove, IL at Tripp Elementary School. After getting married and moving to Chicago, I taught 5th grade at Alexander G. Bell School. I have been teaching at Jahn School since 2000!  

 

My philosophy of science teaching is using inquiry driven instruction to further develop student understanding of physical, life, and earth and space sciences. It has been proven through research and my own experience as a twenty-two year veteran teacher that students learn, retain, and enjoy science by doing rather than reading about or watching others. The science classroom environment needs to be a space where students’ creativity, questioning, thinking, and curiosity is nurtured and celebrated. Students need to have experience questioning, collaborating, communicating, and revising their ideas. My role as a teacher is to guide, facilitate and engage students in developing their ability to see science as a process and help direct them into making sense of new knowledge by utilizing Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) science and engineering practices, disciplinary core ideas and crosscutting concepts. I believe in following the NGSS framework to help lead students toward becoming scientifically literate, global citizens in the modern world. 

 

When I am not teaching, I enjoy reading, tennis, skiing, international travel, going to the opera and playing with my three children.