Spotlight

A Conversation with Dr. Dean

Living in Haymarket, Virginia, Dr. Christine Dean has been teaching biology and marine biology for 16 years. In her free time, she loves gardening, taking care of her chickens, and, most of all – spending time with her family,

Abby: Why did you decide to start teaching science?

Dr. Dean: It was actually my mom who had suggested it to me towards the end of working on my college degree. I was struggling to find peace with the plan to go to either nursing or medical school. I loved science and sharing what I knew with others, but wasn’t sure I was confident enough to teach. When I entered my senior year in college, I had the opportunity to serve as a lab assistant and deliver several presentations that helped boost my confidence that, indeed, God was leading me toward a career in teaching.

Abby: That’s so cool that you had that opportunity! Do you have a favorite field of science?

Dr. Dean: Originally, my favorite subject was Anatomy and Physiology, but during my third year of teaching, I was asked to develop marine biology as an elective. I have taught it every year that I’ve taught biology since that first year and have fallen in love with the subject.

Abby: What do you think is the hardest field of science to teach?

Dr. Dean: I find it hard to teach General Chemistry. There are so many specific details with each subject of chemistry (Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, etc.), I find it challenging to convey the “30,000 foot view” without starting with a closer look.

Abby: That makes sense. Can you tell us about your family? Do you have any pets?

Dr. Dean: I have a son and a daughter. We have two dogs and four chickens.

Abby: What is one of your favorite bible verses/passages?

Dr. Dean: My favorite passages are Psalm 23, 46, and 91.

Abby: Those are encouraging passages, I agree. Do you have any random or unique talents?

Dr. Dean: I can raise my eyebrows and wiggle my ears.

Abby: If you were not teaching, what kind of job would you have?

Dr. Dean: I really enjoy using science to help people, so I would probably pursue a career as an analyst that provides science data and analytics to policymakers.

Abby: That’s a really cool career! What are some of your pet peeves?

Dr. Dean: Anything disingenuous is a big pet peeve of mine.

Abby: What kinds of activities do you like to do in the summer?

Dr. Dean: I enjoy camping, going to the beach, and swimming during the summer.

Abby: Those are fun activities! What are some of your favorite childhood memories of summer?

Dr. Dean: Spending the summer with my grandparents in Cape Cod.

Abby: What kind of cold summer treat do you enjoy the most?

Dr. Dean: I love iced Jasmine bubble tea.

Abby: That sounds so delicious! Have you learned something new this school year or learned any new skills?

Dr. Dean: As our family is still finishing up a handful of projects in our home we bought in 2020, I recently learned to cut and lay tile so that I could build out a new fireplace hearth, backsplash, and an accent wall.

It’s hard to believe that it’s already the end of the school year! I hope that you’ve learned a lot, and make sure to thank your teachers for all they’ve done this year! Have a great week and a great summer!

“Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us – to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” – Ephesians 3:20-21

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