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Saundra L. Coffey
Biographical Information
Wow!
I am so excited to be able to participate in the 2002 Biology Institute. I have been teaching for 19 years. Choosing what I most enjoy teaching in terms of subject matter and grade is difficult. Since I have been fortunate to teach some of the best students and to work with some of the best teachers, I have enjoyed teaching Physical Science, Biology I and AP Biology II. If forced to choose, I would have to pick my classes of Biology I with freshmen as students. Their sense of wonder, their amazement in discovery and their pride in accomplishment are constant sources of joy.
When I attended the University of Texas at Austin, I decided to get my teaching certificate while majoring in Biology.
My husband and I met while we were in college. I really impressed him when we were dating and I made him go with me to check cultures in the Microbiology incubator. After graduation I worked in a hospital lab before I decided to teach. I was just getting past the shock of my first two years of teaching when my first child was born. For about thirteen years I was lucky enough to be able to stay at home with my children. During those years out of the profession, I completed my Masters in Science Education, lived in Canada for four years, had another child, directed a Sex Education Program at my church, volunteered at my children’s schools, and did all those things socially acceptable for stay-at-home Moms to do. When I returned to teaching, I realized what I loved so much about it. I love working with challenging, inspiring students and with dedicated, innovative teachers.
My husband and I have been married for 33 years.
He is originally from New Orleans while I am a native Houstonian. We have two grown children. As they were growing up, we encouraged them to expand their horizons. They took us up on that. Our son attended school in Massachusetts and now lives in New York. Our daughter attended school in California and worked in California and Colorado. Luckily, she has returned to Houston since her Vermont-born husband works at NASA.
At various times during my career, I have presented at local, state and national conferences or conventions and I have worked on committees developing state standards and tests in science. I believe
that you can only be a great teacher if you work to share your experience and expertise with others.
My reluctance to learn to say “no” when asked to help a group in need has found me sponsoring or coaching such diverse groups as Drill Team, Student Council, Science Olympiad, and Science National Honor Society.
While I sometimes feel that the longer I teach, the more time I spend at school, I have found time to enjoy travels to many areas.
Highlights of my travels would include an eight-day raft trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, touring Alaska, cruising to the Caribbean, and climbing in Colorado. Family outings to a favorite lake for water skiing are some of my favorite adventures.
I am looking forward to meeting all of the other participants in the 2002 Biology Institute. I know I will learn much from our experiences together.
Work Information
Job Title/Department
Courses/Levels taught—Key responsibilities
- Biology I
- AP Biology II
- Physical Science
Clubs and Extra-Curricular activities
- Hospital lab work
- Directed a Sex Education Program
- Various local, state and national conferences and committees
- Drill Team
- Student Council
- Science Olympiad
- Science National Honor Society
- Water skiing
- Traveling, touring and cruising
School Information
Cypress Springs High School
7909 Fry Road
Cypress TX 77433
Contact Information
Saundra.coffey@cfisd.net
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