Teacher Overcomes Obstacles

Teacher Overcomes Obstacles

PHOTO/CAPTION: Valerie Negri

Teacher Overcomes Obstacles

by Lisa Beilfuss

From the Editor: The kindest word I could apply to my high school biology course

would be "undistinguished." The book was large and uninteresting, and the

experiments were boring and smelly. Despite these disadvantages, biology seemed the least

demanding alternative when I had to choose a course to fulfill my college science

requirement. Imagine my astonishment, then, when I discovered that biology was rivetingly

interesting. Swept away in the enthusiasm of this discovery, I actually declared a biology

major. Eventually I began to consider what I might do with the major. I recognized that I

did not possess the burning passion that would carry me through graduate school, research,

and the endless battles for the right to compete in the field. That seemed to leave high

school teaching. With dismay I recollected Mosshead Manson, who had put us all to sleep my

sophomore year of high school and changed my major to English. But the entire experience

left me with a deep respect for anyone willing and able to make a success of teaching high

school biology.

Valerie Negri is a member of the Kankakee Heartland Chapter of the NFB of Illinois

and was a 1989 NFB Scholarship Winner. She is also a high school biology teacher who

obviously loves her work. The following article appeared in the March, 1998, issue of

Inscape, the newsletter of Mother McAuley High School. Here it is:

Biology may seem impossible under any circumstances, but try studying organisms and

plant cells under a microscope without the help of your eyes. Sight may be something

people take for granted, but it is one sense that Ms. Val Negri, Mrs. Mary Ellen

Clifford's temporary replacement, has learned to succeed without.

The newest addition to the science faculty is an alum of Marian Catholic High School

and a biology major/chemistry minor grad of Xavier University. Although she received avid

criticism from teachers and peers who called her unrealistic, her dream of becoming a

teacher proved unwavering: "I always liked young people. I always wanted to work with

them and influence their lives," said Ms. Negri. While studying anatomy in college,

she used cadavers and models to substitute for the pictures and diagrams her classmates

used. All material was left to memorization; she was even responsible for the unseen

physical descriptions of what was placed under the microscope.

The three biology classes she presently teaches are Ms. Negri's first experience

operating her own classroom. However, she previously served as a teaching assistant for

students with learning disabilities and for abused children and babies born with crack

addictions. Working at the Cultural Arts Center at Xavier also provided her with valuable

teaching experience.

Teaching biology, Ms. Negri feels, is her greatest accomplishment. Although she finds

many parallels between her own teaching style and that of other teachers, Ms. Negri feels

the main difference in her classroom has to do with the girls she teaches. She believes

they learn to become more responsible, self-sufficient, and independent. Ms. Negri knows

that, besides absorbing her extensive knowledge of science, her students are learning a

valuable lesson in life: "My students learn about cooperation and teamwork and have

experience with someone who is different." McAuley has made some accommodations in

order for Ms. Negri to teach. For instance, senior students help proctor tests and assist

with other activities. When asked what she likes best about McAuley, Ms. Negri replied

without hesitation, "the kids!"