Motivational posters linger on the walls joined by a photo of Albert Einstein sticking out his tongue. An iced tea rests on the front desk accompanied by thoughtful gifts from previous students. The bell rings and the class clamors to take their seats. All of the students excitedly await what will greet them today when the teacher arrives.
This is a chief example of what one could expect walking into Michelle Olshan’s Honors Biology class: engaging lessons that invigorate students.
Olshan’s class is a setting where students are enabled to learn biology, execute projects and labs, take notes, complete Edpuzzles, and work collaboratively with their seat partner.
This class is the equivalent to attending a planetarium show. You are able to learn enticing facts while being entertained by the moderator. It’s a dynamic experience for students who are expanding their knowledge while listening to Olshan’s hilarious, random insights. In some ways, this will help students retain the knowledge. They will always remember the joke their teacher made during the DNA lesson in the same way they would remember the experience of being in the planetarium.
Olshan has a teaching approach that includes the student’s opinions and individual learning style in every step. She wholeheartedly cares that her students feel well supported; consequently, she will go out of her way to check up on them. In addition to that, she makes class entertaining. She is a fun person to be around and makes students excited to step into her classroom every morning.
Freshman Ava Hernandez said it is nice of her to share tidbits “about her personal life with us” and be “silly” sometimes because it can allow her students “ to feel connected to her.” Others agreed with the aspect of her warm and welcoming classroom environment. “My favorite part is how she always makes her students retake her tests no matter if they failed one of [the] outcomes,” said Freshman Jojo Chaput. Olshan’s students appreciate that she cares about their academic achievement; additionally, students enjoy the collaboration the class requires. Freshman Helena Bessken said that she likes working with her peers on entertaining projects and cultivating a relationship with them.
All of Olshan’s students appreciate her as a teacher and a person. Over the year, her and her students will develop a strong connection that will last far past the class. If you know any prospective Honors Biology students or are one yourself, be sure to request her class with your counselor, you won’t regret it.