Author: The Crusader Staff Writer, Laura Gonzalez
The Elementary Education professors are some of the coolest teachers I have ever had the opportunity to learn from. One professor I want to share is Dr. Judith McDonald. Dr. McDonald teaches lots of education classes, but the best one was the Science Methods of Teaching. She is more than a hard-working professor at the Abbey. She has spent lots of time in schools helping with their science programs to this day, traveling, and helping write 3 chapters of a book. Dr. McDonald is always willing to help students out with achieving their goals, but have you ever heard of one that is helping the Kingdom of Sudira Rabum understand a new standard and implementing interactive science for students grades Kindergarten through 12th.
Becoming a teacher was something she realized was her dream job. Teaching science is what stood out to her since she was so young. According to Dr. McDonald, she was at girl scout camp when she realized her strong passion for science. In the summer of 6th grade, when the astronauts landed on the moon, she was demanding everyone to watch the moon landing. She cut out all the pictures from Washington news and still has them to this day. Watching the moon landing was an incredible experience that helped her fall in love with science.
Dr. McDonald has been working here at the Abbey for 15 years and is currently in her 16th year. She has taught a “lifetime” of all grade levels, including graduate school. Dr. McDonald has spent another “lifetime” of learning and is continually still learning to this day. Outside of the college classroom, Dr. McDonald works with schools around the Charlotte area. At one school, she is helping the school build a garden. She helps host STEAM nights where some of the education methods students help teach another school an educational project. Dr. McDonald has created so many opportunities for her students to adventure out and have experiences with their teaching careers. Something that gives her motivation to stay involved in school is when she sees her education students cross the line from student to teacher.
Outside of being a great professor, she loves to be outdoors, hiking, enjoying nature, gardening, and traveling. She has to Switzer, France, Iceland, Hawaii, Costa Rice, and Panama. Dr. McDonald loves to travel and discover new science within all the adventures. In Iceland, she saw volcanos, swam, and touch the Europe plates. She saw northern lights and glaciers. In Hawaii, she saw an active volcano in Kailua and observatories. Hiked the Grand Canyon to see rock formations. Went to Costa Rica to see the biodiversity. Gone to Panama for volcanoes and the canal. Snorkeled the Caribbean and watch coral bleach. One of her favorite things is to observe clouds everywhere she goes.
This article was originally posted in the Spring of 2023, Issue 1 of The Crusader Newspaper. Download the full issue here.
