Exit Slip: Welcome vs. Unwelcome Biology & Influence of a Teacher

         Content, content, content. Biology is about content -- or that's how it is assumed as junior high school student. This stigma was apparent and regurgitated throughout the classrooms, halls, and parking lot. Even though I had a passion towards biology, content of biology was very limited by the end of my grade 10 year. Grade 11 biology scared me as I didn't know if I would be good enough -- strong enough -- or remembering enough. The idea of uncertainty and negative rumors were quite unwelcoming to me and thee. However, one of the most inclusive experience a student may experience is with the teacher.

          A teacher makes it or breaks it; one cannot learn from someone who they don't like. Luckily my biology teachers were there for us when we were in need, or when we sought need. By integrating an inclusive and supportive environment for one's classroom, passion towards personal and academic growth can excel beyond the boundaries of the classroom. Through culturally challenging ingrained stigmas about particular courses within school systems, uncertainty and negativity may not override our minds before the next semester even started. In addition, by integrating new and innovative pedagogy within the classroom, one can carter content to specific individuals from an array of perspectives. Holistic is intrinsic. There is no mutually exclusive things in life -- no simplistic absolutes in reality. Thus, we must challenge the singular mindset of the value of another -- we are not only good at one thing and nothing else; possibilities exists beyond stigmas.