Dennis
Mitchel
Expertise: Education
Expedition Role: Educational Support
Affiliation: Evergreen
Middle School
How did you get to where
you are?
I have lived in the same town, Cottonwood
for all 48 years of my life. My wife and
I grew up together. While I was attending
a local college she suggested I change my
major to teaching. I volunteered at Evergreen
School where she worked as an instructional
aide. I have been at Evergreen School since
that time. I graduated from California State
University at Chico in 1978 and immediately
began my teaching career. I taught 4th grade
my first year, 3rd grade the next 14 years,
and I am entering my tenth year teaching
8th grade science, technology, & career
education. I coach volleyball and basketball.
I began teaching “teachers”
in 1981 and have worked for numerous science
projects and have presented at hundreds
of teacher workshops. In 1999 the American
Forest Foundation and Project Learning Tree
honored me with a state and national teaching
award. In 2001 I was honored as the California
Conservation Teacher of the year. Currently
I serve as Chairman of the Board for a local
watershed group, the Cottonwood Creek Watershed
Group, and work for two science Projects
(Project ARISE and the Forestry Institute
for Teachers).
What made you study
science?
I enjoyed science as a young child and
always wanted to be a “scientist”
when I grew up. The first year I taught
I was in a multi-purpose room with another
teacher and sixty 4th grade students. We
found ourselves teaching the same concept
at the same time and virtually saying the
same thing at the same time. We decided
to break up the monotony by dividing up
the curriculum and team teaching. I chose
math and science and have been teaming with
other teachers my entire career. I have
always taught math and science and love
the
Where did you grow up?
I have spent my entire life living and
working in Cottonwood, California. Our family
first moved to Shasta County in 1862. As
a child my identical twin brother and I
spent a great deal of time actively involved
in sports and spending time in the surrounding
mountains of Lassen National Forest.
Family, hobbies, interests,
etc.
I live and teach in Cottonwood, California
at Evergreen Middle School. I have been
married for 26 years. My wife and I have
known each other since birth (We lived next
door to each other.) We have two children,
Adam is 18 and Seth is 22 years old. My
wife has a master’s degree in Social
Welfare and works for Shasta County Children’s
Protective Services. We own a cabin about
ten miles from the north entrance to Lassen
National Volcanic Park and spend a great
deal of time in the mountains. My wife and
children like to fish, hunt, and hike.
Parting words for students
or teachers
Love what you do. The mind and the soul
are the most valuable natural resource in
the world. Treat both with respect and nurture
them in each and every child. Don’t
get caught by the 2 x 4 teaching trap; the
2 covers of a textbook and the 4 walls of
a classroom. When learning about the outdoors
take kids outside. Bring the world into
your classroom whenever possible.
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