Biology teacher Teresa Kitchen brings science to life, decorating her classroom like a cell and incorporating games into lessons. Everything in her classroom is labeled as part of a cell membrane, and students use Lego bricks to learn about photosynthesis.
“She goes out of her way to make the labs enjoyable for all students, as well as taking time to go to the woods by the school for observation and application of lessons we learn in school,” says student John Eckman.
Kitchen has deep roots in Woodbridge’s Gar-Field High School. Not only has she taught there for 28 years, but it’s her alma mater. After earning an undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in zoology from Miami University in Ohio, Kitchen returned — instructing numerous science classes and choreographing every school musical since 1986.
“Not only is she an outstanding biology and environmental sciences teacher, she also sponsors the Green Club,” says Gar-Field Principal Matthew Mathison. “Her leadership has built student awareness of ecological issues, fostering globally minded thinkers who seek to make an impact in the world.”
Many of Kitchen’s former students pursued science-related professions and keep in touch. She says every field touches on biology to some degree, whether it’s medicine, technology, or environmental architecture.
“Kids can do anything with biology,” she says. “This is going to help you in anything that you do — there’s always going to be nature around.”
Kitchen “plants seeds of curiosity in her freshman biology students,” and many come back to take her higher-level International Baccalaureate biology class as juniors and seniors, says Katherine Villareale, a physics teacher at the school. “Teresa makes learning come alive. …The students are moving and hands-on most of the class time,” she says.
“She spends countless hours outside of school working on gardens around the school building, developing an outdoor classroom, cleaning up wooded areas and making trails, and advertising all of these things to the school so that teachers bring their classes to them no matter the subject area,” says Dan Rylands, chair of Gar-Field’s science department.
“Ms. Kitchen inspires students to be the best possible version of themselves,” says Michael Petruzzi, a Gar-Field assistant principal who worked in the science department with her. “[She] taught me how to inspire students through engaging activities.”
Kitchen serves as a mentor for new educators and advises them to stick to the basics, even on the hard days.
“You need to remember what you love about teaching, and you need to show the kids the love,” she says. “Your kids will see it, and most of them will love it, too.”
Feature image by Jeff Heeney
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This story originally appeared in our October 2023 issue’s Teacher of the Year story. For more stories like this, subscribe to our monthly magazine.
