Many staff members in Lewis-Palmer School District 38 exemplify what it means to be a part of the community while sharing their talents and strengthening it. In this Staff Spotlight, we feature an educator who has been a member of the community for more than 17 years and exemplifies the D38 Core Values of Integrity, Respect, Connection, Growth, and Excellence, both in the classroom and outside of it. Say hello to Monica Tupper, Science Teacher and HOSA Advisor at Lewis-Palmer High School.
What drew you to work in D38 and/or what is your favorite thing about working in D38?
I have always felt that Lewis-Palmer School District was like home to me. I worked as a paraprofessional with the special education department for the 2009-2010 school year and will forever be grateful for the experience and connections I made during that year. When a full time position came open at Lewis-Palmer High School, I jumped at the opportunity to return as a Natural Science Educator. My husband and I have lived in this community for over 17 years now and we love the beautiful backdrop, the small town feel, and the amazing people that live here.
It seems you wear several hats in terms of what you do in D38. Can you tell me about what all you do and what roles you fill?
Currently I teach four different courses in the science department; AP Biology, Honors Biology, Biology, and PLTW Principles of Biomedical Science. I feel lucky to be able to share my passion for Biology with students every day. Each day we can be found doing anything from making models, collecting data in the lab, observing living specimens, developing questions on natural phenomena, and so much more. How cool is that! There is nothing better than when students have that aha moment or tell me they thought that lab we did was really neat.
I am also very involved in HOSA, the Future Health Professionals Organization both here as our school's local chapter advisor and at the state as the current President Emeritus for the CO HOSA Board of Directors and the Health Professions Competitive Events Lieutenant. HOSA-FHP is an internationally recognized student-run organization that serves students who are interested in careers in the health field. Our chapter delegates work towards the goal of becoming leaders in the health community through service work, leadership training and academic competition. Each year our officer team creates a plan of work that involves events including blood drives, service run/walks, national service projects, Stop the Bleed workshops, CPR and First Aid certification workshops, industry guest speakers, fundraising, team building social events and leadership conferences. This past year we had some great success in competition, taking 11 students to the International Competition in Nashville, TN. I am very proud to say we have a very strong HOSA program here at Lewis-Palmer High School.
Is there anything else you would like to say about the HOSA program, what it is, and why it is an important/valuable thing for the students who participate in it?
HOSA- Future Health Professionals is a student run, internationally recognized program that focuses on three major values; Service to the community, leadership development, and academic competition. Through participating in HOSA, students will have the opportunity to participate in activities to serve others like Runs for a Cause, National Service project for NMDP (The National Marrow Donor Program), serve our school community, recruit donors for the blood drives, and many other events. We train our members to be future leaders in the health community by being student officer run, learning to be a lifelong learner through symposiums and speakers, leadership conferences, and fundraising. Our members also spend a significant part of the year training to compete academically in health science based events including teamwork events, Health Science Exams, Health Professionals Skills Events, Emergency Medicine Skills events, and leadership events. HOSA is a fantastic organization to become a part of that will not only give our students fun experiences, but prepare them for their post-secondary plans.
What is your favorite memory from working with students in D38?
I always find that the moments where I am laughing and learning with the students stick in my mind the most. I was working with AP Biology students on a transpiration lab and made an absolute mess trying to get our leaves to stay in their tubes.
We were laughing so hard about the struggle, but in the end they got great data and were able to witness the biological process occurring. Every year I make wonderful memories traveling with our HOSA members to the International Leadership Conference. Nothing beats seeing your students walk across that stage in front of over 10,000 people to earn recognition for their hard work completed throughout the year. This is why I do what I do; for the laughs, the learning, and the development of leaders.
Where/how do you see our D38 Core Values exemplified in your classroom or school throughout the year? Core Values - Integrity, Respect, Connection, Growth, Excellence.
I feel that the core values should be apparent in every classroom. When you walk in my room you will see students working together to solve a problem or answer a question based on a natural phenomena. Through collaboration, students learn how to value each other's ideas and also challenge their prior knowledge in order to grow. I believe in teaching to the whole child, ensuring that students know that I care about them and their classroom success. It is through these values that all students can achieve excellence.
Do you have a message you would like to put out to any of your current students, fellow staff members, members of the community or perhaps students who may be interested in joining HOSA?
Stay curious and learn about the world around you. Do not hesitate to get involved in all the opportunity that District 38 can bring you. You will be surprised by the knowledge you will gain, the memories you will make, the people you will help, and the amazing people in the Monument community that you will meet.