A Must-Read Science Teacher
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In my perfect America, the evangelical radio stations choking out the dial are spreading the gospel of Science, not that of a religion of the downtrodden classes of the Roman Empire. Yes, science has its dark side, but so do the evangelicals’ “gods.”1 In my book, churches and laboratories are close to tied on the scoreboard of Good and Evil.2
In my perfect past, the high school English teacher in Tennessee, whom I called from Los Angeles years after graduating to share with her that I had discovered literature and declared it my major in college, would not have answered that long-distance announcement with, “But Clay, the only thing I want to know is if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior” - she would have instead answered, “But Clay, be sure to take a lot of science too. In its own way, it has as many wonders as poetry and mysteries as religion.”
In my perfect k-12 years, I would have come to admire science then the way I do now, and would have dedicated my life to becoming a scientist. Too late for that now.
But if I’d had Doyle as a science teacher - or even been able to just read Doyle’s wonderful stories and thoughts about science - chances are strong that I would have seen that light before it was too late.
In other words, Doyle is a science teacher whose writings about that subject are addictive. Half Steinbeck, half uncle you’d always wished for, the voice and perspective just do me right. He makes his back yard, his New Jersey coast, the trees outside his classroom window come alive like only a good science-storyteller can. Do yourself a favor and check him out.
If you like this post, please spread it: 
(But don't tag it "education." That will bury it.)
- sorry, but I count “God” and “Jesus” as two, and Christianity as polytheism. Nobody gets the Trinity thing - not even the theologians. Which makes sense, since it doesn’t make sense. [↩]
- Just read Deuteronomy or Revelation, or study history or current events. [↩]
I agree Clay. I’m going to be referring to his writing often this year as I teach Science in Grade 11 for the first time. It reminds me of what science should be about.
He also writes rich, deep comments. He’s left me a few gems already. really.
Tracy
Tracy Rosens last blog post..What it takes.
[Reply]
Tracy Rosen
20 Aug 08 at 10:42 pm
Thanks for the plugs.
It’s a dangerous game when folks with active minds and similar ideas start to circle each other, and both of you just raised the ante–now I have to buy a half-page ad in the New York Times Education Life praising your websites (as soon as I raise the $29,383).
A few decades ago, we’d have traded posts in small literary magazines; now we get to do it online.
(The part I love most are the tags: religion, science, teaching, writing. It’s what we write about, really.)
Michael Doyles last blog post..Gagging on Google
[Reply]
Michael Doyle
20 Aug 08 at 11:34 pm
@Clay
I know we hold radically diverse views on religion but the only book that has helped me grow to a deeper understanding of the trinity was Frank Sheed’s “Theology and Sanity”. Until that point it certainly made no sense. But then again the Church calls it a “mystery” meaning we can’t fully understand it. But alas saying that always feels like a cop out.
Charlie A. Roys last blog post..Finding Balance
[Reply]
Charlie A. Roy
22 Aug 08 at 9:19 am
Your page is now on StumbleUpon!
24 Aug 08 at 11:53 pm
education & tech: Education Today 08/22/2008
27 Aug 08 at 7:00 pm
[...] already plugged Michael here before, and he seems as queasy about the weirdness of mutual admiration societies as I do [...]
Deal, Doyle | Beyond School
23 Nov 08 at 8:55 am