Mark A. Storey

What can a student expect to learn when he or she enrolls in a science course at TC ...well hopefully, to learn HOW to learn!  The way I see it is, we are together for a mere 16 weeks during a semester so this is a short introduction to a life long pursuit of learning about how and what makes life work. I teach for many of the reasons that many teachers teach, because I love to work with students.  Many have heard the old statement; Those who can't do; teach.  Unfortunately, there is some truth to this statement and yes, there are indeed some very poor teachers in today's classrooms who should not be there. However, the vast majority of teachers I have learned from, and know professionally are very hard working, highly trained, dedicated individuals who truly make a difference in our world. I suggest that Leon Lane's statement is a more true reflection of teachers and their profession... "Those who can, teach; those who can't, shouldn't.                                                   ---Leon Lane At the core of the business of education is a genuine desire to truly help people, and I have a lot of fun working with my colleagues and students here at TC.  I have always loved the life sciences and teaching at the college level places me in a position where I can really help people take life changing steps here in our community.     Through hard work and dedication, the college's administration and the Board of Trustees have done a fantastic job of putting together a faculty that strive to be the best where it counts for our students.... teaching. They have supported the faculty in all areas so we could carry on our teaching with small class sizes and the latest technologies in the laboratory as well as the classroom.  You will not find classes of 125-500 and more students as is often the case in freshman and sophomore classes at large prestigious universities where the emphasis is on upper level and graduate research programs... not teaching freshmen and sophomores! The opportunity to work with such gifted colleagues here at  Texarkana College since beginning in 1992,  has truly been a wonderful experience.  I guess what I have experienced here could be summed up as a group of professionals who truly care about our community as a whole and do everything possible to make sure our students are successful.  That does not necessarily mean that my students always enjoy everything I put them through during the course of a semester, challenges are not always pleasant, but in the end I would like to think that my students have learned a good deal about science and are prepared to move on to more demanding course work.

 

Teaching biology at the college level is a great responsibility that I do not take lightly.  One of the more controversial issues that continues to cause confusion for society and my students in general is the biological theory of evolution.  It is the most important organizing theory of all of biology, and without it, modern society makes absolutely no sense whatsoever! As Dr. Francisco Ayala, President of the Scientific Research Society put it in his American Scientist Online August 2004 editorial, "The theory of evolution needs to be taught in the schools because nothing in biology makes sense without it. Modern biology has broken the genetic code, deciphered the human genome, opened up the fast-moving field of biotechnology and provided the knowledge to improve health care. Students need to be properly trained in science in order to improve their chances for gainful employment and to enjoy a meaningful life in a technological world."  -  Dr.Fransisco Ayala Many of my students have never studied biological evolution in the public K-12 schools and have many misconceptions as to what it really means.  Many feel that in order to accept science, one must reject their religious faith.  I attempt to explain what science is (and what it is not) and I feel this is extremely important for my students to understand no matter if they are pursuing science as a profession or not. "Science without religion is lame; religion without science is blind."                                                    --- Albert Einstein   The long term satisfaction in teaching comes from receiving notes, e-mails and phone calls from my former students that are now in graduate programs and are successful in their chosen fields whatever they may be.  I learn so much from my students because they really are remarkable individuals with rich life experiences and wonderful goals and dreams that never fail to inspire me. My general philosophy centers around the 'golden rule' as I attempt to treat them just as I would want to be treated, with fairness and dignity. The college experience is many things to many people, but to 18-24 year olds it is a place to be challenged and encouraged to mature at the same time. The biggest change for most students in this group involves the new roles of teacher/professor and the adult/student. College students learn that they are ultimately responsible for their own success in the classroom.  The close support that students enjoy in high school from teachers and support staff is no longer available, and that can be a real wake up call for many students.

...TC faculty and staff are a family who truly care about our community as a whole and do everything possible to make sure our students are successful.

Our country needs a qualified and highly skilled workforce that can accept responsibility and can effectively communicate with each other and the public at large. At Texarkana College we are on the cutting edge of patiently working with and converting that national priority into reality for the citizens of the Texarkana area.  I can not think of a more important long term responsibility, and I also can not think of a job that I could ever love more.

 
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