Rebekkah Diamond
My name is Rachel Hochberg and I am currently a senior at the University of Arizona. I came to the University of Arizona to begin my career in the College of Science, Teacher Preparation Program. The study of science has always been one of my stronger points. I also enjoy the many hands-on experiences that science allows. Additionally, I have always enjoyed working with children and have taught children how to swim at summer camp for the past four years. During my junior year of high school, I took chemistry and ever since it has been an interest of mine. With my experiences and my enjoyment in working with children, I decided to attend the University of Arizona to peruse a career as a science teacher.

Overall, my college years have been filled with numerous experiences which I hope will help me to be successful in my teaching career. I am looking forward to being a high school chemistry or middle school science teacher and helping many students in the years to come. I will use my University experiences to manage my classroom and motivate students to learn. I believe that every student has the ability to understand scientific concepts and I will try my best to make their science learning experiences fun, and show them then they have the ability to learn.

Rachel Hochberg
Rebekkah Diamond grew up in Tucson, Arizona. Even before Rebekkah started grade school, her mother-a former high school science teacher-led her through kitchen chemistry and backyard biology experiments. Later, in high school, Rebekkah's mom explained real chemistry and biology so enthusiastically that it sparked her passion for science and education.

Throughout college, Rebekkah sought opportunities to prepare for her future career. Some endeavors included tutoring chemistry and math, working as a docent at the Flandrau Science Center, organizing and leading astronomy and physics outreach events through the National Optical Astronomy Observatory, and preceptoring college chemistry classes.

After receiving her teaching certification, Rebekkah would like to teach in a high-needs area in Arizona, possibly on a reservation. She would also like to use her experience in music, training in education, and connections with the University's College of Fine Arts to bring music into schools that need resources for music programs.

Neal Hartman
Neal is currently a first year medical student at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine. He is looking forward to working with the curriculum board, which assesses the schools courses as well as volunteering at the Health Resource Center, a free primary care clinic. He will also be spending time teaching about HIV/AIDS at St. Louis area schools.

Cassandra Anderson
I am currently a senior with around two years of course work left. I have declared a second major and am now pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry as well as a Bachelor of Science Education in Science Education. In the last year I was involved in two short mentoring programs for high school or middle school students, and have recently started mentoring in a third program for undergraduate chemistry majors. In the Spring 2008 semester, I took an upper level science teaching class, STCH 420, that placed me in a college classroom with non-science majors. With a team of other STCH 420 students, I learned how to write and implement lesson plans and I was able to see the results of our teaching efforts in the students' grades and understanding of basic scientific and chemical ideas. This class solidly confirmed my intention to teach. I am looking forward to continuing in my education classes in the next year.