The bell rings. It is time for chemistry. Students prepare themselves for another lab and hands-on learning. For teacher Heather Corey, chemistry is more than just a class she teaches. 

Corey is one of GlenOak”s chemistry teachers. She teaches regular, honors and AP Chemistry. She enjoys teaching and spending time with her students and always shares encouraging words to help her students believe in themselves.

“I love working with high school students and I love knowing that I have the ability to make a difference in someone’s life,” Corey said. 

From the start, Corey always knew she was passionate about science. 

“I always knew that I loved science. It wasn’t until I spent time tutoring and substitute teaching that I realized how much I loved teaching as well,” Corey said. 

Like math, or any other complicated subject, many students are afraid of chemistry because of the workload. However, it is important to join a class with an open mind. 

“Some students believe they aren’t capable of excelling in a difficult class like chemistry. Ninety percent of success in my class is not aptitude, but putting in the necessary time and work,” she said.

Everyone knows that chemistry is a lot of work for students, but it is also a lot of work for teachers, too.

“Setting up labs, mixing up chemicals and teaching college level chemistry with review sessions after school can be very time consuming,” she said. 

It is easy to forget that teachers were students at one time, and often went through the same struggles as students today.

“Organic chemistry and Biochemistry were not easy classes, but I never considered backing out. Chemistry is like a puzzle: the interaction of matter all makes sense, yet has a depth and complexity not found in most subjects. There is always more to learn about chemistry.” 

Corey hopes all students take on challenging classes and will not shy away from them. For Corey, chemistry is one of her passions and she hopes to pass it on to her students.