TUCSON, Ariz. — As a teacher of a complex subject -- chemistry -- it's Hillary Stacey's job to involve students in class at Empire High School.
She works hard to get their attention -- often through humor.
You guys are actually going to have to put your hands in water today -- what?" she kidded with the class.
"I love that I get to make students laugh all the time. I get to laugh all the time," she said.
Her love of performing, teaching, and science attracted her to a chemistry classroom.
Stacey started fresh out of college -- emulating her mentor -- who inspired her to get into this field.
"My high school teacher was this incredible woman. 6 out of 11 of us in advanced chemistry class went into the field because of her," she said.
That influence now helping her guide student learning through inquiry, instruction, investigations, problem solving and discussion.
"I get to help them critically think how our world works on a molecular level," she said.
