GETTING TO KNOW... Cheri Smith

Cheri Smith tried her best to resist the urge to teach, but it was no good. "I come from a long line of teachers, principals and coaches so in the end the pull was too strong," says the Yale Secondary School AP Chemistry guru. "You could say teaching is in my blood!" Now Cheri wonders why she ever resisted.

Outside of the science classroom, Cheri grabs every chance she can get to SCUBA dive. She also consults for the college board around AP chemistry, the subject of her two sessions at this year's BC Science Institute, where she will review the 2009 AP exam, and explore equation questions in AP chemistry.

Get to know Cheri

Where do you teach?
Yale Secondary School in Abbotsford

How long have you been teaching?
25 years!

What do you like best about teaching?
Seeing the light bulbs go on.

What do you dislike?
Administrivia,and dealing with "discipline issues".

Tell us about a funny thing that happened in class.
The best ones would get me into trouble.

Why Science?
What else is there?

How did you spend the summer?
I travelled, and also taught some AP Chemistry Institutes.

Are you involved in Science outside of the classroom?
Yes - I do loads of consulting for the College Board primarily around AP
Chemistry.

What is Science?
Everything is Science.

If I wasn't a teacher, I would be...
Retired.

Have you ever bungee-jumped?
No, but I SCUBA dive as often as possible.

What do you do in your spare time?
Travel, swim, SCUBA dive, read, cycle (with and without motor).

Who would play you in the movie version of your life?
I'll have to take that one under advisement.