Hi everybody!
20ish years ago I was on MFK while I was in college and when I first got interested in science. I started life as an ecologist after undergrad but changed gears and became a teacher in graduate school after falling in love with education. Over the last many years I've taught science in a ton of different settings and across school districts and even states, moving from Ohio to Michigan. At this point I've taught biology, chemistry, ecology, botany, genetics, anatomy, and physics and have always had a fish tank (or a few) in the room for students to take care of, and have used them for lessons and hands on activities for the students. This hobby has helped me teach science, responsibility, curiosity, and a whole host of soft skills to teens and sharing this hobby has become part of my job at this point!
Through the years I've kept a number of animals in the classroom, but have mostly kept cichlids because of their personality with the kids including:
Green terror (gold saum)
Managuense
Convicts
Jack Dempsey
Firemouths
Axolotls
Severums (Green and Rotkeil)
Texas cichlid
Red Devil/Midas
Coral tanks
Bearded Dragon and corn snake
Different species of cockroach
And a lot more at home!
After moving to Michigan my whole collection was downsized and the only thing I have right now is a community tank (55) with tetras and will be introducing a cockatoo apisto when it is stocked up and the plants are done growing, not monster yet but will continue to expand the zoo as time goes on! Now that I'm in the Detroit metro I'm looking for clubs, societies, or communities that I can share the hobby with in person as well so if you know of any or where to go I'd love to hear about them! I'm excited to be back after years away to learn more about this hobby and share things that I've learned through the years!
20ish years ago I was on MFK while I was in college and when I first got interested in science. I started life as an ecologist after undergrad but changed gears and became a teacher in graduate school after falling in love with education. Over the last many years I've taught science in a ton of different settings and across school districts and even states, moving from Ohio to Michigan. At this point I've taught biology, chemistry, ecology, botany, genetics, anatomy, and physics and have always had a fish tank (or a few) in the room for students to take care of, and have used them for lessons and hands on activities for the students. This hobby has helped me teach science, responsibility, curiosity, and a whole host of soft skills to teens and sharing this hobby has become part of my job at this point!
Through the years I've kept a number of animals in the classroom, but have mostly kept cichlids because of their personality with the kids including:
Green terror (gold saum)
Managuense
Convicts
Jack Dempsey
Firemouths
Axolotls
Severums (Green and Rotkeil)
Texas cichlid
Red Devil/Midas
Coral tanks
Bearded Dragon and corn snake
Different species of cockroach
And a lot more at home!
After moving to Michigan my whole collection was downsized and the only thing I have right now is a community tank (55) with tetras and will be introducing a cockatoo apisto when it is stocked up and the plants are done growing, not monster yet but will continue to expand the zoo as time goes on! Now that I'm in the Detroit metro I'm looking for clubs, societies, or communities that I can share the hobby with in person as well so if you know of any or where to go I'd love to hear about them! I'm excited to be back after years away to learn more about this hobby and share things that I've learned through the years!
