Kate LaBare

Teaching Philosophy

Important Skills I Want to Teach My Students

I want to help foster a strong sense of curiosity in the world and respect for nature.  I want my students to be flexible thinkers and creative problem-solvers–one of the reasons science is so exciting is that it is always changing and evolving.  I wonder what Lotspeich students will discover in the future that changes our understanding of science?

Teaching Methods to Reach These Goals

Science at Lotspeich is very hands-on and exploratory.  Students delve into investigations, design challenges, research projects, and experiments.  We are also lucky enough to be able to use our expansive campus as an outdoor learning lab, for the school gardens, hikes, and citizen science data collection on our little corner of the Duck Creek.

My Favorite Projects

That is hard, especially given that I get to work with the two-year-olds all the way up to the fifth grade!  I think my absolute favorite is exploring the interdependence of plants and animals with a focus on pollination.  We are really able to utilize our campus to observe pollinators and begin to understand this vital and fascinating process that had been taking place right under our noses all along.  The unit closes with a makerspace design challenge in which students design and build a pollinator and flower that have all of the structures and adaptions to support successful pollination.

What I Like Best About Teaching at Seven Hills

I love how each child at Seven Hills is really seen and appreciated as an individual.  Given the small classes and tight-knit community, we are able to really get to know each student and tailor curriculum to fit their strengths, needs, and interests.  Because I am lucky enough to work with students for multiple years, I really love being able to engage prior experiences we have shared together to build on a new topic.

I also love the autonomy I have to take deep dives and explore the students’ passions, as well as my own.  Teaching is seen as an art, and teachers are given flexibility to adapt and change to best serve the specific students they are working with.