Stacy Bartlett

Biology and Life Science Teacher

Phone:  651-353-2313      E-mail:  sbartlett@mnmsa.org      Twitter:  twitter.com/MSABarty

Mrs. Bartlett and one of her intergalactic homeys

Isn't Science Easy and Fun!?!?!?!?!?

Hi!  I’m Mrs. Bartlett!  I’m a science teacher here at MSA!  I GET to teach Biology, Life Science, and, from time to time, an elective (Cinema Science, Forensic Science, Human Anatomy, Independent Research, Invertebrate Zoology, Microbiology, or Vertebrate Zoology).  When we had May Term (I'd love to have it back), I was able to teach a wide variety of classes within and outside of the sciences.  In the past I taught Forensic Science, Cinema Science, Interior Design, Mural Making, Black and White Photography, Creative Photography, Yoga, Pre-Chemistry and Eukaryote Greens.  In addition to teaching at MSA I am also an advisor for Student Council, Yearbook, and PET (Pet Educator Team).  I have been at MSA since before there was a building (spring 1999) and have been a teacher since 1995.

So I suppose you’re wondering what makes me qualified to do this job?  Well… I graduated from Sibley-Ocheyedan High School in Sibley, Iowa (northwest corner of the state), then attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa where I received two degrees, Biology (pre-med) and Secondary Education and a minor in Chemistry.  Though I originally intended to pursue a medical degree, I decided that I would rather help people through education… and I have no regrets.  Some would say that teaching was just in my GENES since my mom and dad were both teachers, my brother is a teacher, three of my cousins and an uncle are teachers, and I married a teacher, Steve, whose dad and aunt were teachers.  PHEW!!!!!  That’s a lot of knowledge!  I completed my masters in Administration and Curriculum & Instruction at the University of Minnesota. Most recently, I have taken a bunch of technology classes - social media in education, ipods/ipads in education, smartboards (even though I don't have one) in education, etc.

In my free time, I enjoy working in the lab in my basement, watching Bill Nye the Science Guy, studying the microscopic goo from my shower, and dissecting things I find squished on the road. Okay… some of those are exaggerations.  I really enjoy relaxing, watching TV (Discovery and The Learning Channel, of course), photography (wedding, families, kids, birth) reading magazines, decorating my house, gardening, and hanging out with my family.  I have two boys – Kye, age 10, who’s in fourth grade, and Kade, age 7, who is in first grade.  Naturally, they both LOVE science!!!!!

I chose to teach at and LOVE MSA for many reasons.  Mostly, I like the small size, the commitment and support of students and families, the flexibility and willingness of everyone to try new things, the professionalism, the respect students and teachers have for each other, and the depth in which I get to know my students.  MSA is truly a unique place!

Mrs. Bartlett, age 5, posing with her "pet" worms       Mrs. Bartlett in 12th grade dissecting her first fetal pig

   (My parents wouldn't let me have a real pet)                             (Yep.  That's my REAL hair!)

My General Education Philosophy

    In many ways, my philosophy of teaching is much like Darwin’s Theory of Evolution.  In “Origin of the Species,” Darwin introduces several ideas:  1)  this theory applies to all organisms, 2)  not all individuals of a species are exactly the same, but, rather, that individuals have variations, and 3)  well-adapted individuals of a species have more chance of surviving than do the less-adapted.
    Just as Darwin’s theory applies to all organisms, my style of teaching also applies to all of my “organisms” - my students. My classroom is a learning community for both my students and myself. This community does not support memorization and skill practice much like the traditional science classroom because these abilities do not apply to all students.  Rather, I try to find ways to create a meaningful and conceptual understanding for all students.  I accomplish this in two ways.  First, students practice the activities of science that are relevant to their own lives.  Second, students in this community learn science in several ways:  from sources of authority (i.e.. books and teachers), from evidence they acquire through practice and/or their own experiences, and from communicating with other students.  This style of teaching shows all children that, often, more than one correct answer exists, and that understanding is much more meaningful and longer lasting than memorization.
    Darwin also states that “not all individuals of a species are exactly the same but, rather, that individuals have variations.” Likewise, this idea applies in my community.  Most teachers know that classrooms, as well as children, are constantly evolving. Therefore, the most effective classroom management system is based on the “Discipline with Dignity” model.  Since no two individuals of a species are exactly the same, no two should be treated the same.  Each child should be treated and dealt with as an individual.  Similarly, teachers and staff should accommodate individual variations to the best of their ability.
     Finally, Darwin writes that well-adapted individuals of a species have more chance of surviving than do the less-adapted. Although somewhat true in society, I do not support “survival of the fittest.” In my community, all students have high expectations placed upon them. I try to help each student meet his/her goal(s) by personally conveying a sense of self-confidence and support, by emphasizing the importance of creativity and curiosity, by setting individual goals and self-evaluation, and by demonstrating the importance of understanding science as it applies to each student's life.