Science teacher inspires through hands-on learning
Sherry Douglas's love for science sprouted during childhood field trips with her fireman father to explore the outdoors in Orlando, Florida.
“We lived along the side of a river, and every day that my dad was off we would go outside and either fish or catch lizards, or dragonflies, or frogs or turtles,” said Douglas, 45, of Streamwood. “We were always outside.”
Douglas helped her father build an irrigation pump to draw water from the river to feed their vegetable garden.
“Just all the mechanical love of working with tools and then just the love of nature came from my father,” she said.
Douglas, who teaches science at Westfield Community School in Algonquin-based Community Unit District 300, was dubbed 2015 Kane County Educator of the Year in May. As part of the award, Douglas will receive a $3,000 grant for her school district.
Being selected was quite a shock, Douglas said.
“I do so much for the students that I didn't even realize how much I do until I started seeing it in writing (from) parents, community members or colleagues,” she said. “It's quite an honor to be recognized in that way. You're doing it because you love doing it.”
Colleagues laud Douglas's enthusiasm for science. She also is known for being tirelessly dedicated to her students, dependable, a solid resource and a pleasure to work with.
Douglas inspires her students through hands-on science labs and intriguing curriculum.
“I inspire my kids to be curious about science by showing them how it applies in real world life,” she said. “Showing them there are three types of rocks but never actually letting them understand how that affects their life would be kind of boring. So you want to make sure you make it real to the students ... bringing in outside things to add to lessons, bringing in fun and engaging activities.”
This year, her students made pet rocks and took them on a journey through the rock cycle.
“They carried their little pet rock that they created through all the different stages of the rock cycle, being eroded or melting and turning into magma, and then reforming,” Douglas said.
“Then they had to write a cartoon about it afterward. Just adding those little twists, making it more internal for them, seems to really help them like science.”
Douglas also is involved with helping students outside of the classroom.
Each year, she coordinates District 300's science fair for its five middle schools and three high schools. She recruits the judges, secures the awards and does all the behind the scenes work.
“Our district science fair usually has around 400 projects, about 600 students in it,” she said. “I also coordinate the regional science fair for the (area) districts. We usually send about 100 kids to the regional contest at Northern Illinois University.”
Under Douglas's leadership, District 300 sent 34 students to the state science contest held at Southern Illinois University this year.
For District 300, Douglas helps raise funds and get donations of school supplies for homeless and low-income students. Each year, she helps with the district's “Pack the Bus” backpack drive, collecting donations at the local Wal-Mart.
“We have homeless children that attend Westfield,” she said. “Just ensuring that all their needs are met, even outside of school sometimes, is important and I try to help with that.”
Douglas also is involved at the cross-country and track meets of her twin sons, Alan and Andrew, both 17, attending Elgin Area School District U-46 high schools.
When school is out, Douglas revives her passion for organizing activities during the summer for middle school-age children in her neighborhood.
“I love working with kids,” she said. “Getting them out there and seeing the joy on their face when they learn something new or they do some kind of fun experiment with you ... that just sparks it. So when you start back in the fall, you are fresh and you're ready to go.”