Susan L. Forrest, the esteemed professor of biology at Butler CC, has been recognized with a prestigious excellence award for her outstanding contributions to teaching within the fields of science, engineering, and mathematics. With her unwavering dedication and passion for education, Forrest has not only imparted knowledge but also inspired countless students throughout her tenure. Her innovative teaching methods and commitment to student success have set her apart as a beacon of excellence within the academic community.
She teaches Microbiology and Majors Biology 1. Through the years, she has also taught Majors Biology II, General Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Anatomy and Physiology I, and Anatomy and Physiology II, Chemistry Review for Biology Students, and Critical Concepts in Biology. She has been very honored for being recognized in her teaching.
“It is an honor to be recognized for my teaching and impact in the lives of students,” Forrest said.“Being nominated by students is the highest honor. For a student to take the time to share how I have made a difference in their lives is very humbling.”
Originally, she was planning on chasing tornadoes as a meteorologist. However, when she was a student at Butler, she was a lab assistant in the biology lab – specifically the microbiology lab. She realized how much she loved biology, so she pursued a secondary teaching degree at K-State when she transferred. She tutored students and realized how rewarding it was when she was able to explain concepts to students and they get that “Aha!” moment.
“I was also inspired by Christa McAuliffe, the first teacher sent to space,” Forrest said. Her life was dedicated to teaching and inspiring students. She said, I touch the future; I teach. That quote, and her life, made me realize what an impact teachers have on the future. For example, if I had become a doctor, I would be able to impact those patients under my care. But if my students become doctors, then I impacted all the patients that my students had under their care.”
Early on in her career, she began to realize that students learn differently. When she approaches a lesson, Forrest tries to create materials and tools that would be effective for all learning modalities. Throughout her life, experiences that she have had, color her lessons. She has dubbed herself the “queen of analogies”. She makes it a game for her students to count how many analogies she uses in a lesson. On very difficult topics, Forrest has hand signals and cheers (sometimes songs) to help them remember the concepts. There have been so many “memorable” teaching moments, so it is hard to pin down one she adds.
“But what I take with me are the cards and letters that students send me after they have had my class and how they have used what I taught them in their nursing or other programs (like Medical Lab Sciences, Pharmacy, etc..),” Forrest said. “As a teacher, sometimes, it is rare for students to contact you later and let you know how their education/career is going. So when a student contacts me months or years later, that is very memorable. I save all of those cards and letters in an “encouragement file” that has been building throughout the years. When I have had a particularly difficult day, I will pull that file out and look at it. Remembering the “Big Picture” and my “Big Why”, helps keep me motivated and inspired.”
She remembers that every student has a story. If people are willing to listen to their stories and learn from each other, the world would be a much better place. She doesn’t think you can hate if you know another person’s story. She is inspired by what her students are doing to make a difference in their family’s story and to help raise up the next generation of their family. Hearing those stories and having students get to know each other in the classroom helps to foster a spirit of – we are all in this together.
“I would tell future biology educators (or any educator) to not be afraid to get out of your comfort zone,” “Try new things. Sometimes, it will not work out, but you gained something from that experience. Always strive to do better, to be better. Keep going, even when it is hard. I hope that students take away a sense of curiosity and wonder. The world is a place full of wonderful and strange life forms, if you just are curious and take the time to look away from your screens.” Forrest said.