Science Lessons

In ninth grade, my Biology, Kim Bunselmeyer. I will never forget her name because it sounded so much like "Bunsen Burner." She made it very clear from day one that no one was to call her "Miss Bunsen Burner." She was young and "cool." All of the older students at East High School said to get Ms. Bunselmeyer for Biology because she was the coolest. From day one we got along very well. She was brilliant, funny, inspiring and a true confidant. In retrospect, I look back on how strange it was to have a female Biology teacher. She was the only female in the entire Science Department. Without knowing it then, I think that was a big reason I looked up to her so much. My best friend, Kristin, and I began eating lunch with Ms. Bunselmeyer two or three times a week. The more time we spent with Ms. Bunselmeyer, the more we really got to know and like her as a person. She was very good at keeping a professional teacher/student relationship with us, yet at the same time, she would manage to let down her "teacher facade" and treat us like we were friends. I always admired Ms. Bunselmeyer's ability to maintain relationships with her students while never compromising the high standards she set for student performance. Ms. Bunselmeyer always talked with Kristin and I about what we wanted to be when we grew up. Kristin: a professional Photographer for National Geographic and I: a Pediatrician. Things have definitely changed for the both of us. Ironically, we are both Elementary School teachers and we both do not regret the changes we made. As much as Ms. Bunselmeyer inspired and encouraged me to go down the Science road to become a doctor, I think she would be just as proud to know that I am a teacher.

Ten years ago, Ms. Bunselmeyer was the only female in the Science Department at East High School. She motivated me then and still does now. She was the first person that came to mind immediately after I decided to write a Class Act. I have not kept in touch with Ms. Bunselmeyer, however I hope to make it back to my hometown of Alaska to personally tell her how much she means to me.

-- Jamie Lyle, American University