Wonder Years

A visitor to teacher Erika Klose’s classroom at Winfield Middle School might see groups of students figuring out how to move a can without touching it, or using oregano flakes to prove that water moves when heated. These unusual activities display Klose’s teaching philosophy, which emphasizes hands-on engagement in scientific inquiry.

“In order for science to be attainable and interesting to middle-schoolers, there has to be something they experience, something they notice,” said Klose, a product of the Marshall University College of Education and Professional Development. “Kids walk through life and stuff happens around them, but most of the time they don’t notice. For example, we are studying non-contact forces, like magnets and static electricity. A lot of my students have rubbed a balloon on their head and seen static electricity, but did not think about it. But if they are having some kind of experience that they can hang the scientific content on, they will make that connection.”

Klose’s commitment to ensuring her students not only understand scientific concepts, but also experience the fun and wonder of science, was the reason she was one of 45 teachers in the United States (and the only teacher in West Virginia) to win the highly prestigious $25,000 Milken Educator Award from the Milken Family Foundation in 2017. The award is given to midcareer teachers who have demonstrated their commitment to educational innovation and excellence.

Having one of its graduates receive such a prestigious award is an honor to Marshall University.

“I was thrilled to learn that a Marshall alumna had won a prestigious Milken Award,” noted Marshall President Jerome A. Gilbert. “Erika is truly an inspirational teacher who serves as an outstanding role model for young women and young men alike. Like so many of our graduates, she exemplifies excellence in everything she does. We are indeed proud to say she is a Daughter of Marshall.”

Klose says she was shocked when she realized the school assembly to recognize a Milken honoree was for her.

“I felt so special, and more than that, I felt loved,” she recalled. “Our whole school was there, our whole faculty and my students, and a lot of special guests. When I realized they were there for me, I was amazed.”

Klose grew up in upstate New York and, despite being drawn to the field of education from a young age, began her career as a geologist, a background that has provided the foundation for teaching science to her students today.

“My dad was a teacher. I grew up in an environment where education was valued,” Klose said. “I loved school. I had wonderful relationships with my teachers. I had a tremendous opportunity to explore things I was interested in, which led me to study geology.” Klose earned a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Smith College in 1997 and a master’s in geological sciences in 1999 from Lehigh University. She then fulfilled a lifelong dream of working with the U.S. Geological Survey, first as an intern, then full time for six years. Part of her job responsibilities included presenting science lessons in local schools, work Klose found she loved to do.

“I would come home at the end of those days and I would be absolutely exhausted, but it was an exhaustion that was unlike working all day as a geologist. It was that exhaustion of ‘I have done a good work today.’”

Klose decided to return to school to get her Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT). She had visited friends in the Huntington area and loved its small-city sense of community, so she chose Marshall for her graduate studies. She earned the degree in 2007, and it was an education she says left her well prepared for the classroom.

“The MAT program was very eye-opening to me. While I always thought I wanted to be a teacher, I realized I did not know how it all worked. The methods courses were wonderful because we were taught using inquiry and they modeled how we were supposed to be approaching our own students in the classroom. It was a very effective program. I am thankful for it,” said Klose.

Klose combines what she learned from working as a scientist with what she learned in the MAT program to design lessons that help her students see that science is fun and interesting, something she hopes will have a positive impact on them for their entire lives.

“I chose to teach middle school because that is a time when students make tremendous decisions about their future. They may not realize they are making those decisions, but I believe that a lot of what happens in middle school determines whether students attach a positive or negative association to a subject or possible career. My goal is that they will attach very positive memories to science and to middle school. I want them to feel engaged, to have a good time, to feel free to ask questions and explore,” Klose explained.

Klose said watching the 2017 solar eclipse with her students was one of the highlights of her teaching career. It was a moment when she saw her students experience the love of science she works to impart to them.

“It reminded me how important wonder is. Our students knew the scientific process of what was going on, but they were still taken with the wonder of seeing it. It reminded me what teaching is about. My job is to allow them to be amazed and to instill in them a curiosity about the world and how it works.” 

Molly McClennen is a freelance writer who lives in Huntington, West Virginia.

Photos (from top):

Dr. Jane Foley, senior vice president of the Milken Educator Awards (left), gives a congratulatory hug to STEM teacher Erika Klose as Foley recognizes Klose’s achievements.

Dr. Jane Foley (left) explains during an assembly at Winfield Middle School that one teacher is about to receive West Virginia’s 2017-18 Milken Educator Award. One digit at a time, students hold up cards representing the cash amount of the award. West Virginia Superintendent of Schools Dr. Steven Paine reveals the final zero indicating the total amount of $25,000.

Visiting dignitaries, several of whom are also veteran Milken Educators, give Erika Klose a hand with her oversized $25,000 check. From left, Peggy Hawse (WV ’94), regional coordinator for U.S. Senator Joe Manchin; Erika; West Virginia First Lady Cathy Leigh Comer Justice; West Virginia Superintendent of Schools Dr. Steven Paine (WV ’95); U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito; Dr. Jane Foley (IN ’94), senior vice president of the Milken Educator Awards; and Fred Joseph, district director for U.S. Representative Alex Mooney.

After the assembly, science teacher Erika Klose calls her mom to share the good news about receiving the Milken Award.

Photos courtesy of Milken Family Foundation.