Chemistry between teacher, students

By Phyllis Lehrer
Staff Writer

Published on July 04, 2008

For many, chemistry class is merely a stepping stone. But for Michael Thompson, it became a career.

Thompson is a chemistry teacher at Amherst Regional High School and won the Robert Frost Teaching Chair Award, which recognizes excellence in teaching. The award, given to two ARHS teachers annually, was established in 1960 and includes use of a wooden chair donated by the family of the late Principal Jack Heffley, and a stipend.

Sitting in a classroom at the high school, Thompson explained how chemistry led to his position, since he was an English major at the University of Massachusetts and graduated in 2000.

"I minored in chemistry and took one or two chemistry classes every semester. I started tutoring students in chemistry and really enjoyed it. I knew I wanted to be a teacher," he said.

He got his wish.

While he was a senior at UMass, the high school posted a vacancy to teach one chemistry section. He applied and was accepted.

As a full-time student and part-time teacher, he was busy. "I was up until 2 a.m. and then got up at 6 a.m. But I was 21, 22 and didn't have a lot of responsibility or family so could focus on teaching."

On the other hand, breaking into teaching slowly was a plus.

"I can't imagine first year teaching a full load," he said. When he became a full time teacher at ARHS in 2002, he said he was ready because of his experience.

He said chemistry appeals to some students who think, "They can blow things up." However, it combines lot of problem solving and conceptual elements, such as atoms, which can't be seen. But he displays pictures and students build models to grasp the concept.

He said he does lots of demonstrations.

"It's a hands-on science; without the lab work it wouldn't be the same course."

Thompson also teaches "Chemistry in the Community," a topics-based course that deals with issues: water and atmosphere or fuel and energy. "Everyone needs to know where water comes from, what pollution is in the atmosphere," he said. The topics then lead to chemistry lessons, such as on pH levels.

"We use a lot of current events. A lot of people think that is what chemistry should be, so students could become more informed citizens." He said "Chemistry in the Community" allows students who might shy away from chemistry to take a chemistry course. Students need to take two to three years of science and two lab courses.

Thompson is involved with extra curricular activities. He served as class advisor and was the advisor to the Seinfeld Club and Chemistry Club, which no longer exist.

"It's not that students aren't interested but they are so busy," said Thompson, who lives in Easthampton with his wife, Becky Lederman, who teaches at the Lander-Grinspoon Academy in Northampton.

He said the after-school programs are an opportunity to see students in a different setting. He saw some students in a completely different setting when he was among a group that volunteered to help in New Orleans two years ago. He said he went on the initial trip because he was encouraged by student Lucy Atkins, who organized the effort.

"I didn't know what to expect. But when I saw how much work needed to be done, it was easier to say yes the second time," he said. This past spring he was with 44 students who traveled in four vans to spend a week in New Orleans. "Students who go are the best group, any kid who gives up vacation to help people."

Thompson is also busy with school business. He had been occupied this spring working on the school's master schedule. His task: coordinating 120 teachers, 1,300 students and 15 periods. "That's a lot of choices," he said.

He also serves as co-chairman of the Trimester Evaluation Committee, which has interviewed staff, students and parents and conducted surveys on that form of scheduling. The group will analyze data and develop a recommendation for the Amherst Pelham Regional School Committee.

While he said he loves chemistry, he would like to teach English at some point. He said he has a lot of good friends in the English Department and has conducted workshops for the Western Mass. Writing Project.

The best part of his jobs are "the kids. It's never dull, they may be in the worst mood, and the next day it's different. I know what it was like then. They may be rude to me, but it's not about me, it's other stuff - home a girl friend - going on that effects the students. I know what a difference a teacher can make. I had an amazing English teacher and a wonderful chemistry teacher in reading. I keep in touch with fifth-grade and high school teachers," he said.

"This age group is at an amazing time of life. It was important to me as a teenager, but I wouldn't want to repeat that year. There are so many emotions in such a short period of time. I was a complete dork and can relate to the students. I pushed myself. If I could go back I would say (to myself) relax, chill out, you'll be fine."