Starting with this article, I’m going to be doing monthly teacher question-and-answers (Q&A’s). After choosing a teacher, students may send any questions they may have for the teacher to my email ([email protected]) and all appropriate questions will be asked. This month, I chose to interview Mrs. Dawn Gregor, a long-time AP and Honors Chemistry teacher at Heritage, since she is a beloved teacher who will be leaving next year. Her students, both past and present, were very eager to submit questions. To find out more about Mrs. Gregor through this Q&A, read on.
Q: How did you come up with the ooga booga dance? – Laura Mellado
A: “There was this movie where the guy drives a convertible and he always goes ‘Hoo-ha!’ So that used to be my motto when I would drive a convertible because life is fun so then I came up with ooga booga from there. I had to make sure the dance was easy and that I could physically do it.”
Q: How do you feel about not providing your infinite wisdom to next year’s AP chemistry class? – Jacob Kasner
A: “I feel very sad to leave my home. It’s been a home for 21 years so I feel sad, anxious yet a little bit excited. I’ll definitely be missing my students.”
Q: Have you ever given a curve? – Adham Abdou
A: “Nope, never. Most of the time, students get A’s and B’s with a trickling of C’s.”
Q: How and why do you grade so quickly? – Erin Bryan
A: “That would be coming from a family of five. Efficiency is important, so you have to get organized. Plus, I’ve been teaching for 29 years so you know exactly what you’re looking for.”
Q: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened in lab? – Zakir Makhani
A: “I’m gonna plead the Fifth.”
Q: What’s the stupidest thing a student has done? – Amrita Bonthu
A: “Everyone does silly things. I wouldn’t call them stupid, I would call it a learning process.”
Q: What is the longest time you have stayed up to grade? – Amrita Bonthu
A: “My body can only stay up until 11 or 12 because then I get up at 4:00 in the morning.”
Q: How does it feel to be so loved yet so feared? – Jana Kelly
A: “Don’t be fearful, I’m not that bad!”
Q: Why didn’t you ever let me use the bathroom? – Amber Bhutta
A: “Because 49 minutes with Mrs. Gregor is fun and learning at all times.”
Q: Do you prefer teaching chemistry or playing soccer? – Amber Bhutta
A: “At this point in the game, it would have to be chemistry.”
Q: What’s your passion besides science? – Madison Lynn
A: “It would have anything to do with competitive sports, but I also love to kayak, hike, and ride my bike. I’m an outdoors person, I’m a nature person.”
Q: Where do you like to vacation? – Madison Lynn
A: “Normally, my vacation is going to the northwest to Portland, Oregon because that’s where my family is from. That would be my number one, I love to go there.”
Q: Where are you leaving to next year? – Emma Remudo
A: “I am going to Melbourne, Florida. I’m going to live about four blocks from the beach, and I’m about a block and a half from the intercoastal so I can walk down and put my kayak in every day.”
