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Published on 09/21/1998 All articles from this issue

Blach teacher reaches for the moon

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By Linda Taaffe

Town Crier Staff Writer

Name: Beth Brenner

School: A seventh-grade science teacher at Blach Junior High in Los Altos since 1995.

Teaching highlights: Brenner said returning to teaching after a 12-year break was both a big decision and a highlight in her career.

"It was difficult coming back," she said. "The students are the same. There's more equipment, so it's easy to carry out my philosophy."

Background: Brenner, who has taught science at intermediate schools on and off for the past 14 years, said she knew "quite early" that she wanted to pursue a career in science. "By the time I was out of high school, I knew I wanted to be a science teacher," she said.

Brenner earned a teaching credential and a bachelor's degree in science from Montclair State College in 1969 in her home state of New Jersey, where she also began her career

She earned her master's degree in health education at San Francisco State University in 1976, after moving to California with her husband in 1973. She taught at Notre Dame school in Belmont before coming to the Los Altos School District in 1985.

Philosophy: Brenner said she emphasizes hands-on experiences that back up the course curriculum.

"I want every child to participate. They gain a much better understanding that way," she said.

Although studies show many girls tend to lose interest in science during their junior high years, Brenner said, "I don't find that at all. All of my students have a lot of enthusiasm. I think the hands-on activities keep them interested. One of the most important things that I hope (students) come out with is an attitude of 'Yes, I can do science. Yes, I will take physics. I can do this.'"

Hobbies: Brenner said teaching doesn't leave her "a whole lot of spare time," but she likes to dabble in her garden whenever she gets a chance. She was also active in the Saratoga PTA, where she ran a parent education program.

Today: Brenner is launching Project Astro this October, a new science program that partners students and their parents with astronomers.Funded by the National Science Foundation, the program will include opportunities to view the planets through a telescope during three sessions.

Astronomer Issac Kikwada of Mountain View will set up equipment on the school's blacktop next month for students and their parents to view the moon.