HCP welcomed new AP Science teacher Kathleen Warnock to the school this summer.

Question: Where did you go to college, and what did you major in?

Warnock: I went to college at Northern Illinois University for my undergrad, and I majored in biology.  I got a minor in chemistry.  I did a master’s program in Science Education in Bozeman, Montana.

Q: How long have you been teaching?

W: I’ve been teaching for 27 years. I taught 2 years in Texas when I started, 25 years in California and this is my first year here.

Q: Why did you choose biology?

W: I majored in biology so I really love biology.  I like getting enthused about it, and passing on that enthusiasm to my students.  I hope.

Q: Did you always want to be a teacher?

W: I started out wanting to work in a lab.  I was going into molecular biology so I wanted to work in a research lab. I started teaching, and I really enjoyed teaching.  It really sparked my interest so I stayed with teaching.

Q: Why did you move to Oklahoma?

W: I moved to Oklahoma because my very important significant other also moved out here a year ago so I moved out here to be with him.

Q: Compare living in other places to living in Oklahoma.

W: I grew up in the Chicago area so living here is similar to that. It’s a little more hot and humid here for a longer period of time. In California I lived in the desert, and I just never did get used to the desert environment.  It’s very nice being here with green trees, grass and lots of rain so I like it here.

Q: Do you have any hobbies?

W: I like to hike so I’m still finding hiking places around here.  That’s one thing I do miss in California, the mountains to hike. I also like to run and ride my bike. I do a little crocheting. I play piano. Those are some of my hobbies.

Q: What is something unique about you?

W: This will be for my science students, and I thought about this when I had to find something unique. Bill Nye is my swing dance partner.  I was at a convention once. It was Halloween so it was dress up.  Bill Nye had been a speaker, and that night was a dance.  Someone came up and tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Do you know how to swing dance?”  I have no idea how to swing dance, but it was Bill Nye so I said, “Sure.”  I got to swing dance with Bill Nye.  He’s pretty good, too.

Q: What do you look forward to most about this year?

W: I look forward to learning about Harding and learning about my students.  It’s going to be nice to have small classes that I can interact with and get to know the students.  I’m really excited about teaching here this year so I think it’s going to be great.