Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Measurable Contribution: Rogers Middle School science teacher Glen Kimoto was recently nominated for the Excellence Inside Education Award. After he retires, he intends to give science workshops at schools and universities and write about science.
Public Citizen
Mad About Science
Glen Kimoto retires after a 38-year career as a science teacher
By Moryt Milo
Imagine waking up every day for 38 years feeling enthusiastic and excited about going to work--doing what you love and having a positive influence on the lives of over 10,000 young people. For almost four decades, this has been Glen Kimoto's world: He teaches eighth-grade science at Rogers Middle School.
Kimoto's passion for teaching captured his heart when he was in fourth grade.
"I remember when my fourth-grade teacher asked me to teach a new boy long division. I was so delighted, even though I found out later I had taught it all wrong, and thought, 'What a neat thing to do.' "
But Kimoto came from a family of small California farmers and life had always been rough. He wrestled with his desire to teach, while worrying that it offered little financially. It weighed on him until his senior year of high school when one teacher approached him asking what he was going to do. Kimoto told him he wanted to teach but "couldn't handle the financial thing." The teacher, Kimoto remembers, replied by telling him that he should do what makes him happy, what's meaningful to him, and the money would take care of itself.
Kimoto says it was an incredible moment of self-realization. After that, he never looked back. "If I had to make that choice again, I would most certainly choose education," he adds.
For his entire 38-year career he has taught at Rogers Middle School. He stresses the importance of keeping the creative elements in his profession fresh.
Kimoto, a finalist for the Excellence Inside Education Award, often presents, at various conferences, science workshops called "Science Through Gadgets." He shows teachers how old-fashioned toys and simple gadgets can be used to teach science principles. Since many science teachers have small budgets, often dipping into their own pockets, he demonstrates inexpensive, creative solutions to make science fun. He says he is thrilled when people stop him in the hotel hallways and airports asking for samples.
Away from school Kimoto practices and teaches aikido in Santa Cruz. He is a fourth degree black belt and feels the principles behind the discipline are a "wonderful model for dealing with people and students because one of the tenets of the art is joining and leading."
At the end of each year Kimoto has always asked himself several questions. "Am I better then I was last year? Am I glad I got into this profession? Would I want to stay in it longer? Am I making a difference?" He claims that if he ever answered no to any of them he would leave. His answers have always been yes.
Yet this year, at age 62, Glen Kimoto will be retiring, closing his classroom door for the last time. Rick Ito, assistant principal at Rogers says, "Everyone respects and admires him. There are a lot of young faculty who affectionately say, "We want to grow up a to be like Glen."
Campbell, California
