Alumni
Profiles of Success
Joseph Ruhl
Teacher
Jefferson High School
M.S. Biology Education 1980, Purdue
B.S. Biology Education 1977, Purdue
"Purdue's biology department does a superb job in educating future teachers in biology in the areas of molecular biology, cell, tissues, ecology, genetics, and evolution."
Joseph Ruhl's enthusiasm for teaching is evident. "The most rewarding thing about teaching biology is seeing kids get excited about biology!" the high school teacher remarks. "I love it when a student says something like ‘I never liked science before, but now biology is my favorite class!'" Linking his passion for teaching to his professors at Purdue University, Joseph states, "The love for teaching that I saw in professors like Sam Postlethwait, Al Chiscon, and Jane Kahle motivated me to strive for excellence in my own teaching". Recognized multiple times for his teaching skills, his resume includes such awards as Outstanding Biology Teacher of Indiana, the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching, and the Purdue University School of Science Distinguished Alumnus Award for Excellence in K-12 Teaching.
After earning a BS in Biology education, Joseph began his teaching career at Lanier B High School in Macon, Georgia. He returned to Indiana a year later, which allowed him to pursue a Master's degree from Purdue while he continued his career in education. Today Joseph instructs science students at Jefferson High School in Lafayette, where he is responsible for courses in beginning biology, human genetics, and science research. Serving as the department head, he also shoulders a number of other duties. "As department head, it is my responsibility to construct and propose our department's teaching schedule," Joseph explains. "I keep track of the budget and do the ordering and receiving for our department. I communicate professional development opportunities to the teachers, and serve as a ‘go-between' between the science teachers and administration." To keep abreast of changing teaching methods, he regularly attends workshops and professional conventions. Joseph further finds time to give back to Purdue, and has served as a guest speaker for Biology Methods Teaching courses on many occasions, and has also been a participant in the biology Alumni Career Seminar Series.
A teaching technique that Joseph finds useful in the classroom is the incorporation of multimedia, a practice he learned from Clark Gedney, Director of the Bio Media Center at Purdue. One of the reasons Joseph enjoys using multimedia is simply because "It's more fun for me and the students!" Further explaining his use of technology, Joseph remarks, "Educational research shows that it's effective—people learn more when their senses are involved. When it's done in a setting where the student is learning at a computer station, then he or she is directly involved in his or her learning as an active participant." Joseph has written a number of papers on the subject of multimedia in the classroom and has educated other science teachers on its uses and benefits through presentations he has made at conferences sponsored by groups such as The Hoosier Association of Science Teachers, Inc. (HASTI) and the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT).
Commenting on his educational experiences at Purdue, Joseph remarks, "The
background in biology that I received has been invaluable. Purdue's biology
department does a superb job in educating future teachers in biology in the
areas of molecular biology, cell, tissues, ecology, genetics, and evolution." Biology
students seeking a teaching license may also benefit from courses in agriculture
in areas including entomology, plant classification, wildlife, and conservation.
Finally, Joseph advises future teachers to achieve skills beyond what can be
learned in the college classroom. "Develop a passion for people as individuals," he
advises. "That is, develop a genuine concern for individuals and a desire
to help them (your students) achieve their potential. Develop and cultivate
a passion for biology and wonders of the natural world…that wonder that
drew you to biology in the first place."
Find out more about HASTI and NABT:
www.hasti.org
www.nabt.org
Other useful links include:
National Science Teachers Association: www.nsta.org