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Science teacher Joe Brocksmith handles his classroom pet that he uses to improve the learning experience for<br />
his students. “He has multiple snakes in his room,” senior Alayna Furch said. “He used to allow students to hold<br />
them, but he doesn’t anymore because they were getting out.” (Photo by Kaili Martin)<br />
A SCALY STRATEGY<br />
Joe Brocksmith uses snakes in his classroom to enhance learning<br />
by Linsey Zerbonia<br />
lzerbonia419@g.fhsdschools.org<br />
Walk in. Sit in an assigned seat. Listen to the<br />
teacher talk. Take notes. Many times, the learning<br />
environment looks the same, but that’s not the<br />
case for science teacher Joe Brocksmiths’ class at<br />
FHN. Brocksmith teaches both biology as well as<br />
environmental science. Brocksmith owns five snakes<br />
that he keeps in his classroom.<br />
Just as he is going into his 16th<br />
year teaching, the snakes are<br />
going into their 16th year living<br />
at <strong>North</strong>.<br />
“I got them when I was in<br />
college,” Brocksmith said. “I<br />
mostly got them so I can breed<br />
them.”<br />
Brocksmith loves the snakes,<br />
but some of his students do not<br />
seem to feel the same way.<br />
“Many of my students are curious about them and<br />
ask a lot of questions, but I always get a large group<br />
of students who walk into my room and say ‘Oh Hell<br />
no,’” Brocksmith said.<br />
One of his students, junior Isabel Granjeno, is<br />
currently in Brocksmith’s Biology Two class.<br />
“When I first walked in I was terrified, I literally hate<br />
snakes,” Granjeno said.<br />
Although snakes are a unique incorporation into<br />
the classroom, they are not just meant to be any<br />
normal class pet. Brocksmith says he did not want<br />
the smell of snakes in his home, but also wanted a<br />
purpose for the snakes.<br />
“Many kids are scared of snakes<br />
for no reason, so I like to bring them<br />
in and educate kids about them so<br />
WATCH<br />
Follow this link to<br />
watch Brocksmith<br />
talk about his job at<br />
FHN:<br />
bit.ly/2rELxkw<br />
they can get over the fear of them,”<br />
Brocksmith said.<br />
Some students feel opposite about<br />
the snakes as Granjeno feels. Another<br />
one of his AP students, junior Adel<br />
Mountasir, enjoys having the snakes<br />
around.<br />
“I actually like them here because<br />
they’re so cute,” Mountasir said. “They<br />
don’t bother anyone unless you aggravate one.” .<br />
With all the fun that comes along with owning<br />
snakes inside of the classroom, there has to be some<br />
educational purpose.<br />
“The snakes come in handy when doing the reptile<br />
unit.” Brocksmith said. “We get them out and use<br />
them as a fun educational prop. They’re just so fun.”<br />
Help some<br />
families<br />
from FHN<br />
this<br />
holiday<br />
season<br />
KOE is selling<br />
bracelets with all<br />
proceeds going to<br />
the FHN<br />
Adoopt-A-Family<br />
Program. Purchase<br />
one from a member<br />
today or drop by<br />
room 130 to get<br />
yours or make a<br />
donation.<br />
PAGE BY MACY CRONIN<br />
FEATURES | 11.20.19 | FHNTODAY. COM<br />
17
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