Learning: DisneyHand Teacher Awards: The 2004 Honorees
Darrell S. Woods
High School: Science - 12th grade Advanced Placement Physics, 11th - 12th grade Conceptual Physics

Darrell S. Woods
North Canton Hoover High School
North Canton, OH

"'The important thing is not to stop questioning.' These words of Einstein guide the daily routine in my physics classes. Whether solving logic puzzles, designing recycle cars or mousetrap cars, testing balsa wood bridges and gliders, or building K'Nex roller coasters, my scholars are constantly being challenged to think beyond their normal boundaries. Through enthusiastic dialogue and team interactions, learning of science and life is definitely not a routine experience in physics. As shared by a former scholar, my physics class allows students to explore science and be assessed in so many different ways that failure is only an option to those who fail to try."

-- Darrell

"Mr. Woods has more than 125 students taking a fourth year elective course in physics. Today, most seniors would shy away from such a class. But because of Mr. Woods' non threatening style, even non-science students are able to learn and achieve along with students who plan on majoring in science."

-- Anthony Pallija, Principal

Darrell is curious as to why the scientific curiosity of elementary students seems to fade as they get into high school, and so he begins the school year with survey looking at previous lack of success in science and frustrations with school. He tries to rekindle the spark of science curiosity and create a desire for them to learn science. Darrell challenges himself to create a safe, diversified, challenging learning environment that allows scholars to become involved in their own learning while still having fun. As one of his former students commented (sharing her goal of becoming an elementary teacher), "You didn't teach just science, you taught us to love it."

Other Highlights:

  • National Board Certification in Science for Adolescences and Young Adults, 1998, (one of only 27 in State of Ohio to receive this certification in Science in 1998)
  • Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), 2003
  • NASA Educational Workshop for Mathematics, Science and Technology (NEWMAST) Program, 1995
  • Pathwise Level I & Level II Training, 1998
  • Governor Taft's Ohio Teacher Advisory Committee, 2000 - 2001
  • NSTA Regional Conference Presentation, 2001
  • Jackson-Belden Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year, 1996
  • Ashland Oil 2000 Teacher Achievement Award, 2000
  • Chevy Malibu Teaching Excellence Awards Winner, 2001
  • Subaru National Science Teaching Awards Honor Roll for Ohio, 2002
  • Inaugural 2002 Akron Global Polymer Academy Institute, 2002
  • Jackson High School Teen Institute Advisor, 1994 - 2001
  • Hoover High School Co-Advisor of Teen Institute, 2001 - present