Rocky River High School biology teacher Ann Brokaw assists some of her students during a recent class. (Photo by Larry Bennet)

Biology teacher among top 4 in Ohio
By Michelle Payne
Rocky River
Published Feb. 1, 2005

Rocky River High School biology teacher Ann Brokaw is a self-professed science geek, but her passion for biology and teaching has caught the attention of the Ohio Department of Education, which has recognized her as one of the top four teachers in the state.

Last month Brokaw, an advanced placement biology teacher, was selected as one of four finalists in the 2006 Ohio Teacher of the Year program.

“It was surprising and it’s an honor (to be selected),” she said. “My principal nominated me, and I had to fill out an application packet which included essays and recommendations from colleagues. When I was selected as one of the four finalists, then I was interviewed in early December by a panel in Columbus.”

While Brokaw didn’t win, being a finalist is still a very prestigious honor, as she was selected from nominations submitted from schools around the state.

“I did receive a certificate and letter from the Department of Education,” Brokaw said. “The winner basically spends next year doing public speaking and kind of looking at one particular issue they’d like to focus on.”

Even though Brokaw won’t be making the whirlwind speaking tour, she does know what issue she would have focused on had she been selected.

“Without hesitation, it would be science education and how the United States continues to fall further behind in terms of science and math education,” she said.

Brokaw, a graduate of Marietta High School, has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in biology from Wittenberg University. She said she’s had her heart set on biology since she was a kid, but her love of teaching came unexpectedly.

“I knew going in college that I would be a biology major, Science always interested me,” Brokaw said. “I was pre-med until my junior year, and I always said I was going to be doctor. But then something changed and I took an education class and had to do some fieldwork for the class. I went into my first classroom and knew that’s where I needed to be.”

Brokaw came to Rocky River fresh out of college 13 years ago, and over the years her goal has always been to make a difference in her students’ lives.

“My first AP biology class, which I taught my second year of teaching, gave me a throw pillow at the end of the year that said ‘to teach is to touch a life forever.’ I have that sitting in my bedroom so every time I get dressed or go to bed I see that pillow and that has become my mantra,” she said. “I know that all these kids are not going to be scientists, but if I can touch their life somehow…then I’ve done my job.”

While she does enjoy teaching, Brokaw admits there is one thing about the job she dislikes.

“Grading papers…I love every part of being in the classroom and turning kids on to science. I really hate grading papers,” she said. “The students know it and they are really funny; they say I should just give them points for doing their homework,” she said. “But I need to read them and correct them where they’re right and let them know when they are wrong. If kids are taking time to do it, then I need to grade it and analyze it.”

Being ranked as one of Ohio’s top teachers isn’t the first honor Brokaw has received. Her list of accolades is long. Currently she is also Rocky River High School’s teacher of the year, and in 2005 she was honored with the Arthur S. Holden Teacher Award for Excellence in Science Education. The award is given out annually to one Ohio teacher by the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation and includes a $7,500 grant. Brokaw used the money to implement a three-year biology study on the Rocky River Watershed that will include almost 450 students. In 2004 she earned the RadioShack National Teacher Award when she was chosen as one of 110 recipients from over 1,000 applicants nationwide. She was recognized by RadioShack for her innovation in the classroom and received $3,000 as part of the honor. She’s also a past winner of the WOW! Science Award from the Great Lakes Science Center, which recognizes Northeast Ohio teachers who promote teaching science through hands-on learning.