Dani Kiyasseh

6/3/2015
Mrs. Crockett Evaluation

Higher Level Biology was one of, if not, my favourite class in the International
Baccalaureate Program. My passion for biology was only one aspect of my desire to expand my
knowledge base in this field. I believe a great mentor is one that ignites a fire in the student. One
that makes the perceived undesirable, desirable, and one that transforms the content into something
far more interesting. Mrs. Crockett definitely falls within this category. She managed to appeal to
everyone in the class, regardless of their skillset, or the specific topic of discussion. This is truly a
skill, only possibly attainable with experience. Students who expected topics to be monotonous
left the class enlightened. Others with a thirst for extra knowledge had countless doors open up for
them. I would say I left most classes wanting to inquire further about certain aspects of the material
not covered in the course. Mrs. Crockett would provide us with the necessary information, and
allow us to put our foot in the door to explore new worlds. Whether the student decided to open
that door was his independent decision.
Moreover, she managed to cover the content in a practical and appealing way by constantly
referring to our tool bag. These were skills and techniques we had accumulated over the years
which we could decide to pull out and use when faced with a certain situation. Some include,
visualization, mnemonics, and teamwork behaviour. Aware of the different types of learners in the
class such as visual, audio, and kinesthetic, Mrs. Crockett tried to switch up the format of the
lectures every once in a while. Some included videos, while others included physical activities.
One specific activity I vividly remember was the construction of alpha helices and beta-pleated
sheets using foam, string, and several other materials. This broad approach to the material
increased the likelihood of all students understanding the concepts better.
If one were to approach Mrs. Crockett with a somewhat advanced question, she seemed to
be able to not only answer it, but also contextualize it. She was constantly up to date with recent
research discoveries and medical-related news. This ultimately trickled down to us during lectures.
Furthermore, visualization was a key learning tool engrained in our minds after the two years we
spent with her. If there was one thing we took out of that class, it better have been how to visualize
what was being discussed. This was and still is an integral tool to aid studying and simply better
understanding concepts in the real world. As a biomedical engineering student, most of our work
so far has revolved around modelling. One of the first steps is design. A hefty part of this includes
the ability to visualize different processes, mechanisms and how they interconnect. Once the more
serious lectures come around during junior and senior years, I am sure the skills gained in Mrs.
Crocketts class will start to protrude. The way she taught us provided us with a certain mentality
that not only prepared us for university and our future life, but spring-boarded us into it.
Mrs. Crocketts class was by far not an ordinary one. Each class was a life lesson. It was
so influential and illuminating to the point that, as students, we proposed to hold weekly sessions
where not only biology students, but others could benefit from her stories. Occasionally digressing
from the main topic at hand, Mrs. Crockett delved into real-life incidents she has experienced over
the years. One might usually expect this to be detrimental, yet this was a great aspect of the class.
Perhaps this was a way for us to remember the content better; if we have some story to link it too.
In addition to this, advice was thrown at us, left, right, and centre. Knowing most, if not all of us
were attending university in the coming years, she spilled all possible advice on the matter; how

Dani Kiyasseh

6/3/2015

to stay safe, build up character, and become efficient learners. It opened our mind to potential
scenarios that we may not have thought of.
On more of a personal note, having a discussion with Mrs. Crockett one day, she had asked
me what I thought my strengths consisted of. She then posed the question of what I believed my
weaknesses were. This is when she opened my eyes to the fact that my strengths themselves can
also be my weaknesses. This is now something I keep at the back of mind. Whenever I develop a
strength, I ensure that it doesnt consequently lead to some weakness.
I assure you that, now, we can all relate back to some memory or experience gained in that
class. Whether it be enjoyable, disgusting, or out of this world, they were still memories; ones that
can never be erased.
Ultimately, Mrs. Crocketts heart consistently lied with the students. She was always
looking out for the best possible way for us to excel, and a caring and passionate teacher is bound
to lead to a passionate student who constantly strives for the better.