BSCS and my career have been intertwined since 1956, when I began teaching high school biology in Logansport, IN. During my interview, I mentioned that I wanted to use one of the BSCS texts; the superintendent replied, "Which one—the Red Version?" I knew I had it made; he had absolutely no idea about the BSCS texts, and I could order whichever version I wanted! Because I focused on microbiology as an undergraduate at Wellesley College, the Blue Version (Biological Science: Molecules to Man) was an obvious choice. (Although today I cringe that the title was not "to Humans"!)
I taught the Blue Version and the second course in biology, Biological Science: Interaction of Experiments and Ideas, in rural Indiana schools for 10 years, concurrently earning an MS degree at Purdue University. I was privileged to be part of the National Science Foundation (NSF) supported Biology Teacher Institute at Purdue. However, when I began, I was told that I would not receive support, because I was a woman with children, who obviously would not continue teaching! In spite of that comment (and I was supported during my last two years), it was a great experience and heavily focused on the BSCS curricula. Both Ben Olson and Joe Novak were instrumental in introducing BSCS to the teachers in the Institute.
I returned to high school teaching but had my sights set on another goal. I enrolled as a doctoral student at Purdue with Sam Postlethwaite as my major professor. Sam had developed a very innovative approach to teaching college biology, which mirrored the strategies of BSCS, especially its second course. I received my Ph.D. in 1972 and went on to teach Methods of Biology Teaching at Purdue. Needless to say, my course emphasized the BSCS texts and strategies. I also mentored and served as major professor for 17 doctoral students, one of whom, April Gardner, joined BSCS in the mid-1980s.
My next active participation with BSCS was when I was appointed to its Board of Directors in 1983. I served on the Board, on the Executive Committee, and as Board President until 1989. And, I loved every minute of it. It was an exciting time for biology education. Texas' Board of Education had approved requiring Creationism to be taught in biology classes and had declined to include biology texts that only taught evolution (e.g., the BSCS texts) on its approved textbook list. In addition, BSCS moved from the campus of the University of Colorado in Boulder to the campus of Colorado College in Colorado Springs. Under the excellent leadership of Jack Carter, the move went very smoothly. As I said, I enjoyed every minute on the Board and was so pleased to work with Jack, Joe McInerney, and Rodger Bybee, all excellent leaders, who contributed much not only to BSCS but to science education.
In 1989, I accepted an Endowed Professorship at Miami University. I was so honored to meet and work with Paul Pearson, President, who was one of the authors of the original Green Version. So, my story begins as a biology teacher and ends as a professor, and every step of the way BSCS has been part of my story. Congratulations to everyone on Staff and on the Board during this 60th anniversary year. It is a wonderful institution!