SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — On Thursday afternoon, Philip Gay, the President of the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair, called Rabbi Weiser to tell him that Matt Bessler was chosen to be this year’s San Diego Science Teacher of the Year.
Bessler was chosen based on the quality of the projects submitted by the 23 students who were chosen to compete, and the written comments of those students .
“After years of work in marketing, I decided that I have a passion for teaching, and so changed careers,” Bessler said after learning of the honor. “I always enjoyed coaching sports, and felt I would enjoy teaching. Wow! This is quite an affirmation. Coming to HDS (Hebrew Day School) has validated my decision a thousand fold.”
Bessler’s award was later formally announced at an Awards Ceremony held in Viejas Arena before thousands of students, parents, science teachers, and business leaders who support science education.
Over 15,000 students in San Diego and Imperial Counties competed in their schools for selection into the Greater San Diego County Science & Engineering Fair. A total of 750 projects were selected to compete in the Fair. Typically 1 out of 20 projects are judged worthy for County level competition. All 23 Hebrew Day School 8th graders were selected, continuing HDS’s legacy of outstanding achievement.
According to Ronald Domb, Judging Chair, “Hebrew Day consistently has the most creative and thoroughly produced science projects of any school, public or private.”
Bessler is the third HDS science teacher to be so honored. In 1999, Cheri Kelso was named Science Teacher of the Year, and in 2004 Julie Reynolds received the honor. The accomplishment of these students, year after year, speaks to the overall quality of the general studies program at HDS. Project preparation relies upon a thorough understanding of the scientific method, developed research skills, the ability to write a comprehensive paper, and the executive skills to organize and present date effectively. Each student verbally defends their project as part of the County awards process, learning to advocate for their conclusions and support their work.
For Dr. Abraham Broudy, a South Bay pediatrician and 1984 HDS graduate, participating in science fair sparked his interest in science. Dr. Broudy found the inspiration to want to help children live healthful lives from the Judaic program, which inspired within him a devotion to fulfilling Torah values in his life pursuits.
“At HDS there is no conflict between science and Torah,” noted Rabbi Simcha Weiser, Headmaster since 1981. “Einstein properly drew upon the thinking of Stephen Jay Gould, who wrote that science and religion are harmonious because they fulfill complementary tasks: science enables us to understand physical phenomena, and Judaism provides us with the human values and sense of purpose to harness all knowledge constructively. In celebrating the achievement of HDS students, we do so realizing that they draw upon both in understanding our world.”
More information about Soille Hebrew Day School is available from Beth Licha, Admissions Director at blicha@hebrewday.org or by calling Beth at 858-279-3300.
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Preceding provided by Soille Hebrew Day School.