Ballard High School science teacher Megan Vogel has been awarded the Golden Apple for excellence in teaching. She was one of only 10 nominees chosen from a statewide field of more than 200 educators and educational programs.

Vogel started teaching in 1999 at a correctional facility in Montana. In 2001, she moved to Seattle to teach science in the Ballard High School special-ed program. When the special-ed science program was discontinued, she filled an opening in the science department.

Ballard News-Tribune: What made you want to go in to teaching?

Megan Vogel: I couldn't get a job as a research biologist. I never in my wildest dreams thought of being a teacher. I got my first Masters in range and wildlife management. I wanted to work in Yellowstone Park and that never happened. I got very discouraged and went back to school to get my Masters in teaching.

BNT: How were you ale to overcome that disappointment? Has teaching been more rewarding than you thought it would be?

Vogel: The first couple years were rough. I was at a correctional facility. The people I worked with sucked, but the students were awesome. I still keep in touch with some of them, no matter where they are - could be jail. When I got the job here, it was rough at first. But I think once I moved into the science department, I discovered a true passion for teaching.

BNT: What's your philosophy as a teacher?

Vogel: Enjoy what you're doing. If you don't like it, leave the career. Please.

BNT: What was one of your best moments as a teacher?

Vogel: Today was amazing. We had the marine science finals. I said produce a three to five minute video of what you learned this semester. When you give students an open-ended opportunity to tell what they know you get more out of them than when you just give them an exam. So that's what I love for my senior class. To say, 'No exam, just tell me what you learned.' And, most of them are going to rise to the occasion.

BNT: What makes for a difficult class?

Vogel: When you have a student that you know has the ability to learn but doesn't show up for class. It's very frustrating to see lack of motivation in students wanting to learn these days. I want everyone to be successful, and not everyone is. It's very heartbreaking.

BNT: What is your overall goal as a teacher?

Vogel: As a teacher, I would like everybody to be successful and earn the credits they need for graduation. As a human being, I'd like everybody to gain an interest in science. And, I would say from feedback I've gotten from students both present and past that I've done a pretty good job of that because a lot of them end up majoring in science when they get to university. Some of them decide they want to be a science teacher, and that's of course the ultimate compliment.

BNT: Why do you think you were nominated for the Golden Apple?

Vogel: It turns out I've been nominated a number of times over the years by parents, and last spring a student nominated me. I know that she was a very outgoing student - very motivated, very energetic, very loud, very hyper. Not all teachers appreciated that, but I did. I tapped into that. I gave her as much as she wanted to learn.

The Golden Apple awards ceremony will air at 8 p.m. Feb. 28 on KCTS 9.

Michael Harthorne may be contacted at 206.783.1244 or michaelh@robinsonnews.com.