Teachers are the Difference: Jen Torline

For over a decade, Upper School science teacher Jennifer Torline has experimented with a curriculum that generates academic results and encourages students’ natural curiosity.

“My connection to Seven Hills was Linda Ford, a science teacher at Upper before she retired. She taught me how to do a tie dye experiment I still teach in class. The school’s positive reputation really drew me in, and it was a chance to teach just chemistry, which is my favorite science,” Torline said.

Torline created a curriculum that leaves plenty of room for wonder and inspiration. Her students learn about chemistry through experiments, labs, and coursework that taps into their creativity. 

During a recent AP Chemistry class, students worked in small groups to create a vivid rainbow in test tubes using a variety of liquids. Students used pea flower tea to test different chemical reactions and craft their best rainbow. After completing their experiments, the groups submitted their rainbows in a friendly competition. Peers reviewed one another’s work, with each group complimenting the others for their vibrant colors. 

“The hands-on aspect is one of my favorite things to teach. The lab work and seeing the concepts in person show students we can prove and solve the equation. It’s not just about teaching kids the chemical terms and knowledge. I’m helping them expand their ways to solve problems inside and outside the lab. It’s part of preparing students to be responsible citizens who can analyze the world around them,” Torline said.

Her favorite part about teaching students is hearing the “aha” moment from her students.

“How my students push and take things further to comprehend the subject matter is always a delight to witness. Their curiosity is innate and I want to encourage and foster. A chemical reaction can be scientifically simple and yet still inspire a sense of wonder for several reasons, which is part of chemistry’s beauty,” Torline said.