BLOG INTRODUCTION: EDU 776

 Hello! My name is Harrison Fredrick!

Source: Personal Picture


I am currently a Forensic Science teacher for seniors who is just starting my third year of teaching! I graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2020 with a degree in Biological Sciences, with a focus on cellular biology. Additionally, for all 4 years, I worked within the science labs on campus with a focus in research on Multiple Sclerosis (or MS). MS is a debilitating disease that causes parts of your brain cells to degrade over time, leading to a lack of signals being sent around your brain and body. Though this is a terrible disease, this gave me such an amazing opportunity to conduct graduate level research in a state of the art lab on the University of Illinois at Chicago's medical campus. However, I did not stay in research. I received my masters in Science Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2021 and started my teaching career shortly after at Acero Soto in the Gage Park neighborhood of Chicago, IL. 


I live in the city of Chicago near the Little Italy neighborhood, and one of my favorite things about living in the city is all of the fun concerts, festivals, bars, and beaches I can take advantage of. Even though I have a car, my main and preferred form of transportation is the bicycle - besides the one looming issue being what I will do when the snow comes in, I love taking those breaks in my day to have my outside transportation. However, even though I love urban lifestyle, I truly find my cup filled when I get away from the city and into nature. I am an avid hiker, camper, and backpacker who is in love with our nation's national parks, my favorite one being Zion.

My relationship with technology is very on brand for a 25 year old. I feel like at work, I am consistently assisting others with technology issues and hope that I am savvy in the way that I need to be to do my job. However, personally, I do feel as though technology uses me. I love my phone, consistently check social media, and have multiple forms of communication and entertainment opened at all times. With my age being similar to my students who are seniors in high school, I feel as though I give a lot more grace towards my students and their cell phone usage in class.

Live feed of me getting ready for the school year: 
source: GIFY


Comments

  1. NMZumpanoAugust 30, 2023 at 5:06 PM

    Great to meet you, Harrison. I found it interesting that you have more grace toward your students and their technology since you are close in age. This makes sense. You also have a lot of influence with that age group as well. Hopefully some of your positive technology traits can rub off on them.

    I visited Zion two years ago. It really is a great park and I thought the shuttle system was fantastic. For me, I have to say right now Yellowstone is my favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mayci EdwardsAugust 30, 2023 at 6:13 PM

    Hi Harrison! I enjoyed getting to know you through this blog. I love to go hiking as well! I have never been to Zion, but I traveled to Colorado this summer and went on lots of hikes there! I'm from Southern Illinois and could not imagine living in the city. I enjoy the beautiful outdoors here. I'm also a young teacher and think it has its advantages of being tech savvy. I could not imagine teaching high school (3rd grade teacher here). Have a great school year!
    -Mayci

    ReplyDelete
  3. EdAugust 30, 2023 at 6:20 PM

    Hello Harrison, I am a big fan of the outdoors as well. I definitely want to visit Zion one day. Cell phone use in the classroom is a very controversial topic. In the middle school where I teach student cell phone use is not allowed anywhere in the building and must be out of sight. It is considered too much of a distraction.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Madison WilkeSeptember 2, 2023 at 6:43 AM

    It's great to meet you, Harrison! It sounds like you have had a lot of valuable experiences through research that you can now apply to teaching. There is no doubt that phones are addicting, and it can be difficult to achieve a healthy balance. Helping students develop media literacy is so important but challenging.

    Nature lover here too! I spent a day near Zion on a road trip this summer. I'd love to go back and spend some more time. I called my road trip this year my "survey trip" because I stopped and camped at many places across the country but spent very little time in each spot. It helped inform me of places I need to go back to.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Colleen MurphySeptember 2, 2023 at 8:40 AM

    Hi Harrison! I'm really interested to hear more about your research on MS; I have a relative who has it. Like you, I'm also a young teacher! I'm the youngest person in my district's special education department (my district has 4 buildings and it's Prek-8th grade). I feel like I'm often helping out others with any tech if they need it.

    ReplyDelete

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