Rumors go around all the time at GlenOak High School, the same as any other high school- snippets of conversations in the hallway or idle gossip during group work.
Some of these rumors can prove to be both true and fascinating, like the many different adventures of GlenOak biology teacher Dori Hess.
Hess has been in her classroom for over a decade and teaches both biology and AP biology. She is also an instructor at Stark State College with a master’s degree from Miami University.
Being a teacher is not Hess’ only job experience. She is also (or has been) a licensed massage therapist, a waitress, experienced in the field of business, gone through firefighter training, participated in a volunteer fire department, some veterinary history and house/animal-sitting. However, She hasn’t yet achieved her dream career.
“I want to go to medical school and work for Doctors Without Borders is what my dream is,” Hess said.
Hess has had unique experiences with animals. For her graduate work, she was part of a study on Silverbacks and how zoos treat cardiomyopathy, a heart disease that affects them. She got to examine different methods of therapy for the gorillas and had the opportunity to collect data.
Hess loves having students out in the real world experiencing those in-field opportunities. She has been able to take students to places like California, where she grew up, and Oregon for research and study opportunities. She loves to connect with the kids and encourage them as they learn.
“Being able to help kids realize that they’re capable more than they think, and learning from you guys,” Hess said.
“Knowing you’ve had an impact on them, seeing the smile on somebody’s face when they figure something out, when it just clicks.”
— Dori Hess
However, the part of teaching that she dislikes the most is the limitations.
“Sometimes you just can’t do things that you want to be able to do,” Hess said.
Various species of animals call Hess’s biology classroom home. She has Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches, multiple kinds of fish, snakes, a snapping turtle and has had other fascinating creatures throughout the years. Oftentimes these animals end up finding permanent homes after being in the classroom.
“Last week I took home six of Hess’s guppies and they’re thriving,” junior and AP Bio student Carter Sterling said.
The effect of having animals in the classroom on the learning environment is incredibly positive.
“There is not a day that goes by where I and my friend Flint Adams and my other friend Lucy Shaheen do not walk over to Mr T., as he’s called, the turtle before and after class and we just love Mr. T,” Sterling said. He sees the class as fun, interactive, and interesting, even as an AP class.
Hess strives to maintain a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere and support her students in any way she can.
