Ms. Katelyn Schueth - SPMS

Sixth grade is already a year full of transitions, but taking life science during the height of COVID made it even more surreal. Classes were on Zoom, cameras were often off, and school felt distant in every sense of the word. Yet somehow, in the middle of all that uncertainty, Ms. Schueth created one of the most memorable, exciting, and genuinely joyful classes of my entire middle school experience.

Even through a screen, her “classroom” felt alive. From the moment you logged into Zoom, you could tell Ms. Schueth was determined to make science feel fun and human. She greeted her students with a “science joke of the day”  and showed silly and oddly unforgettable YouTube videos. This element of humor within her class somehow made topics like density and moons stick better. I still remember logging on early to her zoom meetings, just to see what joke or video she had planned that day. Even now, some of those quirky youtube songs about the dwarf planets or the different phases of the moon still stick with me. My mom and I always laugh about how I would share different facts about the moon phases, as Ms. Schueth truly made learning about these topics so interesting and unique. She really shared her passion for earth science with her students, and I will always remember the enjoyment and safe space of her class during a time when everything felt heavy in the world around us. Students, just like myself, could always count on Ms. Schueth to put a smile on our faces, even through pure screen interactions and lessons.

What made her teaching so special wasn’t just the content, but the way she treated her students. Ms. Schueth believes that middle schoolers aren’t “difficult,” they’re just people going through a huge transition who want to be listened to and understood. She made it clear that every student mattered, even the quiet ones. As someone who values inclusivity and connection, that philosophy left a lasting impression on me.

Ironically, teaching wasn’t always part of her plan. Growing up in Nebraska, Ms. Schueth dreamed of becoming a scientist, as she was inspired by her love of animals and biology. While studying biology in college, she worked at daycares during the summers and discovered how much she loved teaching kids about the natural world. In the daycare, she found herself pointing out ants on the sidewalk or helping children make sense of what they were seeing in the world. That joy followed her into middle school classrooms, where she realized she could combine her love for science with her love for working with students.

She eventually earned her master’s degree in science education and found her way to South Pasadena, where she immediately knew she had found a special place. Even after moving farther away from South Pasadena, she chose to continue commuting because of how much she values the students, teachers, and community here, which is a commitment that speaks volumes.

One of the most rewarding parts of teaching for Ms. Schueth is simple, as she believes it is simply bringing joy to her students. Whether it’s through a corny cheer, a science joke, or a lesson that makes a student say, “Wait… that’s actually really cool,” she believes learning should be something students enjoy, not fear. During COVID especially, she made it her mission to help students momentarily forget the chaos of the world and just enjoy learning together.

Looking back, I can honestly say her class helped spark my curiosity and love for learning. Even though I’m now pursuing education rather than science, the way she taught with energy, kindness, and genuine care, absolutely influenced the kind of educator I hope to become. She showed me that it’s not just what you teach, but the lasting impact that you have on your students as well.

When asked what advice she would give students beyond school, her answer was simple but powerful, as she said to be kind. She believes that kindness spreads, and even small actions can make the world a better place. That message, much like her teaching, is something I’ll carry with me far beyond the classroom.

Ms. Schueth turned an insane and unique year, marked by COVID, into one filled with connection, laughter, and learning. She created an environment that allowed her students to forget all about the stress of the world and just have fun for the short amount of time we spent on our class zooms. She turned our screens into an interactive and memorable science class, and for that Ms. Schueth will always be one of the teachers who made a lasting impact on my life.