by Nehri Lewis

Science teacher Francesca Hernandez works to make biology meaningful and fun for her students by connecting what they learn in her classroom to the outside world.

“I think science is important, and if I can help others to understand the world around them more, then that’s a win in my book,” said Hernandez.

Her interest in biology started when she was in high school and had a teacher who made learning fun for her.

“I loved biology in high school. I had a fun teacher who took us on a bunch of field trips, and I wanted to be just like her. Shout out Ms. Lyvers,” said Hernandez.

Because of her own experiences as a student, Hernandez believes students should be able to learn science in ways they can remember.

“I’m a hands-on person. If I hear something, I forget it; I try to make sure my lessons have some level of hands-on work so that it sticks in their brains.”

Her teaching also focuses on helping students understand the environment around them and their responsibility toward it.

“The hardest part is getting students to understand that everything is relative; every action we make influences our world in some way. It’s up to us to choose how we handle that responsibility.”

Her students learn this sense of responsibility during her lessons

“She makes biology interesting by applying some of the real-world experiences to the science she teaches,” said freshman Akiya Flynn. “She breaks down the topic and puts it into more understandable terms for her students.” 

“I describe her teaching as she shows everything on her board and helps us understand things we need more help with by shortening it into easier forms for us to understand,” said freshman Rhaya Nord.

Environmental science is especially important to Hernandez because she believes students can better appreciate the world when they understand it

“People can’t care for the world if they don’t understand it, and they can’t understand it if they don’t know it exists.”

Hernandez also enjoys having a new classroom this year where she has more room to teach through activities and labs.

“I love my new classroom. I have windows, and I also have more space to do more labs.”

Hernandez wants her students to see that biology is more than just a class they have to take at school. 

“I want the readers to pay attention to their science classes because I promise it applies to them in some way.”