Faculty Spotlight: Mr. Kyle Jane - Exploring the Chemical Makeup of our Universe

Chemistry and Engineering Teacher

 

2015

 

I teach three chemistry courses (Chemistry, Honors Chemistry, and Advanced Placement Chemistry) and three engineering courses (PLTW Introduction to Engineering Design, PLTW Principles of Engineering, and Engineering Design and Development). The chemistry classes explore the basic chemical make-up of our universe and teach students basic laboratory techniques. The AP Chemistry course extends the understandings and skills developed in the first year chemistry courses by investigating more nuanced and complex chemical phenomena in a curriculum that mirrors the first year coursework of a university level chemistry course with the hopes of students earning college credit through their performance on the AP test in May. The engineering courses are designed to focus on problem solving, collaboration, and creativity while learning skills like using calipers to measure, assemble electrical circuits, building and coding small robotic machines, creating multi-view drawings of objects, developing 3D computer models, and 3D printing.

 

I graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University with a degree in Science Education and a minor in Chemistry. I have continued to learn and develop my content knowledge and pedagogical skill by taking graduate courses from Lebanon Valley College and Illinois State University as well as multiple trainings from Project Lead the Way.

 

Teaching at CLHS is special in several ways, most notably in the tight knit community experienced by both staff and students. The CLHS experience isn't just about delivering facts in the classroom; the staff serve each other as we try to holistically train up young men and women. I enjoy science and engineering, but I love being a part of building up the body of Christ through our daily work at CLHS.

 

I can't recall one story that stands out to me that is especially noteworthy, but rather the plethora of alumni, both recent and more distant, who return to CLHS and with a smile on their face recount the path God has taken them on and how their time at CLHS prepared them for the road. I love hearing the stories of how CLHS has helped prepare individuals to use their talents and live with Christ at the center of their lives.

 

As a middle and high school student I was privileged to be taught to love and study science by Randy and Becky Younce who taught me 6th grade science, as well as Biology I and II, and Anatomy and Physiology in high school. After graduating from Indiana Wesleyan, I was able to start my career beside two other brand new chemistry teachers and be mentored by a wonderful veteran science educator in Barb Nealon. In ways both big and small my career has been shaped by these and many other people. I try to make positive influences on the lives of my students in the same way that these individuals have impacted my life.