"We're all in this together, for the good of the students," says Charlene Koelling, who teaches biology at Porta Junior/Senior High School in Petersburg. When Mrs. Koelling started teaching, she was primarily fascinated by her subject, and she expected her fascination for biology was shared by all around her. With time, she has realized that students have their differences and widespread interests. Today she says, "I have gone from a fascination with my subject to a fascination with my students." The biologist in Mrs. Koelling, however, would like students to grow more aware of environmental problems, and to care about what they can do to help solve and diminish these problems." Conversations with former students lead her to think that such an awareness is gaining ground. She hopes that present and former students will teach their own children to care for the natural world. In the near future, Mrs. Koelling would like to reach and teach a larger audience by writing a guide-book that "delineates the natural features of Illinois."
1959 University of Illinois, B.A.
