Cheryl Baggen, Science Teacher & Department Head

Getting to know Science teacher & Department Head, Cheryl Baggen.

What's the most unusual or interesting item on your desk or in your classroom?
I have a graphite foot and graphite hand on my desk- right beside my DNA model.

If you could take your students on a field trip anywhere in the world, where would you go, and why?
Years ago I was asked what I would want most to support my classes and without a moment of hesitation I requested a wetland on the LPS grounds. I spent my childhood outdoors watching and engaging with ants, snakes and whatever other organisms were outside. My public school had a wonderful summer program that guided grade schoolers to observe, respect and thereby fall in love with the outdoors . We learned to identify plants and birds, practiced tying knots which were used to make lean-to shelters and made campfires . Awakening young people to the wonders of the natural world leads to a better understanding of the interconnections that allow life on the planet and what better place to stop and smell the roses . 

What's the most adventurous or out-of-the-box teaching activity you've ever organized?
To demonstrate evolution by natural selection, I enact the role of a giraffe with a neck that is shorter than the neck of another student/giraffe and dramatically (and perhaps worthy of an Oscar) die as a result of being unable to reach food from the tallest trees. Students get a kick out of seeing me fall to the ground even when wearing a dress. 

Do you have any quirky classroom traditions, activities or inside jokes with your students?
I use all sorts of mnemonics and songs to help students retain all of the difficult terms and concepts in biology. Ask any of them what the PPP rule is or why I point to my toes to differentiate between mitosis and meiosis, not to mention my humming ‘Follow the Yellow Brick Road’. In addition, I have a rule that my students cannot use the following words: Eugh, Gross, Disgusting. Biology is about living things and those 3 words cannot be applied to the biological topics we study. The substitute word to use is “interesting.” I find that students may have learned to be “turned off” by such things as insects or snakes, and even certain human body systems; my role is to show them the importance of these aspects of the curriculum and to demonstrate the importance of keeping an open mind.

What's the most memorable and funny student response you've received to a question or assignment?
My students surprise me with their insights or perspectives all of the time. When I ask a question in class or on a quiz, the student responses often show me that different minds respond to, or approach, words/comments/questions in a variety of ways. Something to always keep in mind in whatever I do, not just when teaching.

What's the best piece of advice you've received as a teacher?
Slow down - my normal speed is fast - fast - fast in everything I do and my students need slow. An early mentor at LPS helped me with this transition. 

What advice do you have for parents to support their child's learning at home?
“Geek out” and tell us something interesting about your field/subject that most people wouldn’t know! 

What's the most heartwarming or touching moment you've experienced as a teacher?
Teaching during COVID I had a student that struggled emotionally and eventually moved to a placement better suited to his needs. Before he left, he gave me a handwritten note, which included a drawing of a food web, telling me how much he appreciated my biology class and concluded, saying he would miss me. It was not clear to me while I was with him that this young man found science or my class of particular interest. However his note made clear that was not the case. I try to keep all of the notes and drawings my students have given me over the years. This young man’s note is one that reminds me teachers (and all adults) can make a difference sometimes without even realizing it.

If you weren't a teacher, what career do you think you would have pursued?
I have had many careers before becoming a teacher - my “old lady” career as I describe it to my students. I spent time in a health department lab, then in various legal positions, and finally, to allow me more time at home raising my sons, I spent 18 years as a legal editor. Getting out from behind a computer was essential when I was looking at what to do once my sons were off to college. Having spent time with the youth group at the Unitarian Church, I decided to combine my love of science with my newly discovered joy in working with young adults and so began my teaching career. Fortunately, I was hired at LPS because working here has been so rewarding, something I had not found in my previous work.

What's your favorite book to recommend and why?
To say I am a reading enthusiast is too mild a term. I always have a book-on-tape going for my commute and a book for home reading. Amor Towles, Elizabeth Strout, and Lauren Groff are some favorite fiction writers, but I also love to read fantasy (Neil Gaiman) and nonfiction, usually related to science. My most recent nonfiction book is Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. 

Share a surprising fact about yourself that people may not know.
I have a son, who has been living in Australia for the last 7 years and currently works in Perth for The Kids Research Institute doing research on malaria cures. Perth is about as far away as you can get from Boston.

What's your favorite way to relax and recharge after a busy day at school?
Relaxation almost always involves my dogs - walks with them and/or with friends and their dogs. During the workweek I meet up with two friends at 6:15 AM to walk dogs in a nearby field. This happens regardless of the weather or lack of light. It can be daunting sometimes in the winter, but the rewards are well worth it, especially as we see sunrises and beautiful moons that most people miss. I also am best friends with all of the dogs in the neighborhood, as I give out the best treats. Running comes in a close second once winter is over. FYI, I have had many pets as an adult, not just dogs. I have had several cats, guinea pigs, chinchillas, a box turtle (that was a class pet here at LPS for a few years), Russian tortoises, a corn snake named Corny ( that was also a class pet for a few years) and various small parrots. 

Where is the best place you've traveled to and why?
Hiking with my oldest son in Hawaii comes to mind as not only are the trails very different from those around here, but we also came across a volunteer who had moved to Hawaii from Ohio just to work on protecting native plants and birds from invasive rats and pigs introduced by humans. It led to a wonderfully informative conversation. Equally fascinating was a camping trip with my younger son to the Ningaloo coast in north west Australia - a National Heritage Site. My son and I had lots of time together catching up and, as are both science geeks, lots of time looking for local flora and fauna. Coming close to kangaroos and emus is a blast.