Teacher

Name: Ms. Jennifer Harrison

School: Bernheim Middle School

Class: 7th grade science

School Phone Number: 502.543.7614


About The Teacher

I am originally from Louisville.  I received my bachelor's degree in biology 
from the University of Louisville.  After receiving my B.A. degree, I moved 
to Tuscaloosa, AL. to attend graduate school.  My master's degree is in 
Marine Science and my research was done on hermit crabs that are found on 
Dauphin Island, AL.  While in school, I taught laboratories for 
underclassmen in biology.

Once I received my M.S., I worked at McWane Center, a state of the art 
science museum in Birmingham, AL.  While there I interacted with visitors of 
all ages discussing topics that were related to water.  I was also one of 
two aquarists that built and maintained the 13 display tanks that housed a 
variety of freshwater and saltwater fish.  The largest tank was 10,000 
gallons and had not only fish, but also sharks, stingrays, and eels.  
Besides building the plumbing for the tanks and maintaining them (including 
cleaning them), I also took care of the animals by feeding them, noticing 
when they were sick and figuring out what was wrong with the animals.  

While working at the museum, I also taught a biology laboratory class at 
the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

I left the museum to do what I have wanted to do full-time for almost 10 
years, teach.  I am happy to say that this came true by teaching here at 
Bernheim Middle School.

Since I have been at BMS, I have taught primarily 6th grade science and ILEAP 
reading (6th-8th graders).  During the '08-'09 year I was the schools 
literacy coach working with a class of 6th graders and a class of 7th 
graders.  I really enjoyed working with those students.  However I really 
missed my science lessons, so I am back in the science class as of 
August '09.  This year I will be working with the 7th grade team.

Since I started at BMS, I have been the sponsor for the National Jr. Beta 
Club (check out the Beta page).  I have also taken seven groups of students 
to the Gulf of Mexico 
during the spring of 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.   I have 
organized the ILEAP trip to St. Louis (3 years ago)and 2 years ago to 
Chicago.   

While teaching at BMS, I completed another stage in my education.  During 
the summer of 2003 I completed my M.A.T. through Spalding University.  I 
now have my Rank I.  I am currently in my seventh year of teaching, all of 
which has been at BMS.

I was honored during the 2003-2004 school year as having been chosen as 
Bullitt County Middle School Teacher of the Year and as one of 22 recipients 
of the Ashland Achievement Award.

Mission For The Class

I have high expectations for all of my students.  I hope they too have high 
expectations of me.  

My goal for the class:  To learn while having fun.