Teacher of the Week: Alex Gordon, physics, Champaign Central High School
May 30—As a student at Macalester College, Alex Gordon took quickly to his physics and astronomy courses. He realized, though, that teaching the subject was his passion.
In his second year teaching physics at Champaign Central, Gordon has no shortage of enthusiasm for the subject matter, and he works every day to impart that love of science to his students.
I find my work important because ... physics is powerful, and it's cool. In physics, we explain how things work, and we develop a lens for interpreting the world around us. But, in my opinion, teaching is about more than simply teaching the content. It's also about helping students become who they're meant to be. It feels especially true in high school, because students are really starting to forge their own paths.
I became a teacher because ... in college, I was lucky enough to be involved in some really awesome astrophysics research projects. But as time went on, I realized that my favorite part of doing scientific work was the part where I got to share that science with others, whether that was presenting my research in a poster or talk, or hosting a weekly astronomy-themed talk show on my college's radio station. It turns out, I like talking to regular people about science more than I like talking to scientists about it! Thus, teaching was a natural fit.
My favorite or most unique lesson that I teach is ... So many to choose from! From designing and optimizing rubber band-powered vehicles, to building an audio speaker out of a styrofoam cup and some magnets, to replicating centuries-old experiments, physics has a lot of good stuff.
My most fulfilling moments on the job are when ... things start to click for students. When they persevere through challenges and start to make interesting connections between what they're learning in class and what they experience in their everyday life. I also find a lot of joy in seeing the results of their hard work outside of my class by attending their performances, art shows, sports games, etc.
I keep students engaged by ... building relationships. I love getting to know students, learning what they care about and showing them that they're much more to me than just a grade. And I do the same for them by sharing not only why I care about physics but also what matters to me outside of school.
Something else I'm passionate about is ...My partner, Dani, and I are in the process of building an urban farm with the help of some friends and neighbors. We'll be growing vegetables, raising chickens for eggs, planting native plants and donating whatever we don't eat ourselves. It's helping us connect with the land and with our community, and it's so wonderful.
My favorite teacher and subject to study in school was ... my high school English teacher, Ms. Flanagan, at Northside College Prep! She taught me a lot about looking at the world from different perspectives. Honestly, I liked most subjects in school. Anything that got me thinking critically, arguing and diving deep into a topic. I suppose I had a slight preference for science, but it's certainly not the only subject I cared about.
If I weren't a teacher, I would be ... an astrophysicist! Or maybe a park ranger at a National Park. If I could somehow combine the two, even better.
