Teaching is not just a profession; it’s a calling that requires passion, dedication, and a desire to mold the development of young minds. The job has taken Mr. Gates, a science teacher at Mountain Ridge High School, from being a pupil to becoming a teacher. A firm believer in creating a learning atmosphere that includes book and street smarts, Mr. Gates left his mark for the second year at Mountain Ridge. His teaching career is one of commitment and love of learning, values which he strives daily to instill in his students.

Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University, where Mr. Gates earned his Bachelor of Science in Education, was the start of his education. With its base of operations in Flagstaff, NAU provided him with the perfect environment in which to hone his teaching methods in the midst of the stunning Arizona scenery. His educational philosophy, in which he places great value on student involvement and translating scientific knowledge into the everyday world, was deeply influenced by the emphasis on education and experiential learning at the university. Mr. Gates perfected his ability to work with students at NAU, where he kept the classroom atmosphere challenging to think and inquire.

Taking classes at Mountain Ridge High School

Mr. Gates entered the field of education in the spring of 2021 when he joined the faculty of Mountain Ridge High School. The beginning of what has become a successful and rewarding career can be dated to this incident. He understood his responsibility well and initiated teaching with a commitment, realizing the importance of providing science to the students in an understandable and interesting manner. Mr. Gates does his best to create an environment of learning where every student is respected and encouraged, whether in laboratory work, classroom lectures, or individual assistance.

Mr. Gates continues to tailor his teaching techniques and introduce new methods to meet the needs of his students as he embarks upon his second full year at Mountain Ridge. His dedication doesn’t end in the classroom since he takes special effort to search for professional development opportunities to stay current with education and science trends. To Mr. Gates, teaching is not merely the passing of information, but the gifting of tools to students to think critically and develop a love of learning throughout their life.

From Victorville to Okinawa

The experiences from around the world shaped the life of Mr. Gates before his final settlement in Arizona. He was from an environment that valued hard work and hard work only, where he initially lived in Victorville, California. Those were his formative years that instilled in him good work ethics as well as tough determination to achieve his goals at any cost.

He went to Okinawa, Japan, and there he learned a great deal about culture and himself. Being in a place like that, which is so heavily based on history and tradition, allowed him to expand his vision and see how much adaptability and open-mindedness are necessary. He now uses these characteristics to direct his teaching practice, encouraging students to be honest about their encounters with science and to accept the discovery of the unknown.

Arizona: A Place for Learning

Mr. Gates has chosen to make Arizona home since moving to Flagstaff in 2016 to study at NAU. His science curriculum is always guided by the state’s vibrant scholarly community and natural world. He always manages to relate what we cover in class to the outside world, whether to the geology of the Grand Canyon or the ecological wealth of the Sonoran Desert.