New MHS Science Teachers Focus on Student Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking

By Dilan Mehta | Posted November 6, 2024

Montgomery High School has three new science teachers who are expected to bring fresh new perspectives and strategies to help students succeed.

From left: Dr. May Jean Cheah, Mr. Robert Parker, and Ms. Amy Calhoun.

Science teachers May Jean Cheah, Amy Calhoun, and Robert Parker started at the high school in September.

Dr. May Jean Cheah

Dr. Cheah earned her undergraduate degree in chemical engineering from McGill University and a PhD from Princeton University.

Before teaching, she worked on membranes that filter water in treatment plants and did research work on hydrogen fuel cells. This year, she is teaching Honors IPELS. IPELS stands for Integrated Physical, Earth, and Life Sciences, a physics-oriented, lab-based class.

“As a district, the Montgomery School District is increasing the implementation of the Universal Design for Learning framework,” she said. “I am looking forward to…bringing UDL principles into our classrooms.”

Mr. Robert Parker

Mr. Parker graduated from West Point in 2013 with a degree in electrical engineering, and was commissioned into the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant armor officer. He is teaches Engineering 1 and 2, as well as Architecture 1 and 2.

Engineering and architecture blend creativity with mathematical reasoning, so he says his classes are hands-on.

“My teaching style is student-led," he said. "In keeping with the engineering design process, I want the students to do background research and brainstorm ideas to help them understand the material versus simply feeding them all the information.”

The MHS science department strives to promote student-led discussion, reflection, collaboration, and to focus on inquiry-based critical-thinking skills in the classroom, he said.

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Ms. Amy Calhoun

Ms. Calhoun majored in physics at Georgian Court University, completed graduate-level courses at Florida Institute of Technology, and researched Planetary Science. She teaches AP Physics 1 and Honors IPELS. She also is assistant mentor of the robotics team.

Ms. Calhoun emphasized the importance of metacognitive thinking and for students to truly process what they learn.

“One strategy that I plan to do more often this year is to have students reflect more regularly on their learning. I feel that through reflection, students can solidify their learning and take a moment to ask themselves questions to help guide learning even more.”