*Teacher: Science*
By: Morgan Blechschmid and Danielle Shehee
February 12, 2021
Mrs. Catherine Woodruff is a science teacher here at Brooklyn High School. Woodruff loves to mirror her motivation onto her students to help them reach their full potential. Her way of bonding with students is what brings the most joy from her job. Her advice has assisted her past students through high school, as well as in their adult lives. These are the reasons why Mrs. Woodruff was chosen for this week’s staff profile.
Q: How do you feel you have impacted your students since you started teaching?
A: “I think I’ve impacted my students in a positive way through being understanding, caring, and encouraging them to accept personal responsibility and sharing a love of a subject area that I’m passionate about, that is Science! I’ve seen many previous students go to college, trade schools, get into their family business, or even start their own business. I’m always humbled when they visit me to reminisce, tell me about the opportunities they have, and how their lives are shaping.”
Q: Why did you want to become a teacher?
A: “I became a teacher so I could help students become the best that they can be and for us both to learn more about science together.”
Q: What is your favorite aspect about the subject you teach?
A: “I call it the ‘A-ha! moment’,” it’s the moment of time that a student realizes that they understand the concepts that I’m teaching, they feel successful, and proud of themselves. Many will even help out their friends and break it down for them to understand as well. That makes you feel great!”
Q: How many more years do you have until retirement?
A: “I am currently in my 24 year in STRS, but if you look at the years that I tutored and received credit for in my college jobs (time I put in also, but with OPERS), it’s really my 27 year. STRS keeps changing the requirements (the goal line) for retirement, but I currently have 11 more years until I’m able to retire.”
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: “I grew up in Parma. When I went away for college, I spent about half my life in Youngstown, Ohio. What they don’t tell you is that wherever you go to college, it usually is where you relocate to.”
Q: How do you deal with a stressful situation?
A: “I come from a very mixed cultural and ethnic family background. I use a lot of what worked for my family members in my own life. For example, one way I handle a stressful situation is by making a cup of tea. First, tea is relaxing, and secondly, it’s a way of taking a break and putting some distance between you and a situation, so you can think clearer. When I can’t do this, I take deep breaths, tell myself to relax, and give myself a break to remove myself from the situation, so I can think more clearer. I’ll ask myself if this will matter a day from now, a week from now, a month from now, a year from now; this usually puts it into perspective! I usually keep my cool in emergency situations, but sometimes, I allow myself to vent, harshly. Not my proudest moments but I’m human and can only take so much. Also, I will try to reframe the situation as a challenge for me to overcome and to grow from. I remind myself that we all have challenges, and we define ourselves by how we handle them. The grass is always greener, but you never see the time people put into fertilizing, cutting, watering, and taking care of their “grass.” I try to look at problems as opportunities to grow and become a better version of myself. Breaks definitely help.”
Q: Where did you go to college, and what did you enjoy most about college?
A: “I went to Cuyahoga Community College for my Associates degree and Youngstown State University for my Bachelors degree. What I liked was being more in control of my life and taking on more responsibility. This started when I was in the summer after my 10th grade year. I was making my own school schedule, working, and balancing my time with these things along with family and friends. I felt like I was growing up and getting the foundation of my adult life created. I was blessed by having a Business teacher in high school that would tell us, ‘Sacrifice four years to set yourself up for the next 50.’ This is very true and great advice. Keep your eye on the prize, and go for it.”
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: “I love to garden, read, learn more about technology, use different apps/websites to do research with different organizations, do yoga/exercise, cook, go to car shows, do arts and crafts, and a few other things.”
Q: What is a piece of advice you would give this year’s senior class as they are about to transition into the next chapter of their lives?
A: “Don’t let senior year be where you max out. There is more to life besides senior year and all the activities that go with it. Enjoy it because it goes by quickly; get a plan together. Also, have a back up plan for what you want to do with your future. If you decide to change all of this, you aren’t a failure. You can always go back and get more education whether it’s at a college, trade/technical schooling, or apprenticeships. You don’t have to have all the answers, but you need to take the opportunities that present themselves; otherwise, you will not be happy, and you will live with regret. If it was easy, then everyone would have everything they wanted and wouldn’t have to work for it. Otherwise, in the end, you only have the person in the mirror to blame for not getting it together.”
Thank you for all that you have done for so many, Mrs. Woodruff!
THE RETURN OF THE EYE 