Hirst, Rick
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- Jefferson City High School
- Teacher Bio
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My name is Rick Hirst and I have been a science teacher at Jefferson City High School since the 1997-98 school year. I am certified to teach in, and have taught, Biology, Chemistry, Physical Science, Astronomy, Geology, AP Environmental Science and AP Biology at JCHS.
· My educational background includes:
o B.S. Biology – Iowa State University 1989
o Education Hours and Student Teaching – Lincoln University 1996
o M.S. Biology. – Washington University in St. Louis 2011
Prior to teaching, I worked in a feed testing laboratory for the Missouri Dairy Herd Improvement Association in Columbia. This afforded me amazing opportunities to work in a laboratory testing facility and do research for companies such as MFA and Monsanto. I feel this real-life application of science and laboratory work enriches the classroom experience and helps the students to understand that science is not a boring subject found only in textbooks, but that science is full of life and possibilities, both as a profession as well as in our recreational lives.
When I am not in the classroom, I continue to work with kids of all ages in a variety of extracurricular activities. I have worked with the JCHS Athletic Department as an event Supervisor / Operations Manager since the 1997-98 school year and have been an Assistant Coach for Girl's Soccer for 9 years and am currently in my first year as a Boy's Soccer Assistant Coach. I am also the sponsor of the Astronomy Club and co-sponsor of the Chess Club.
In addition to being an Assistant Coach for the Boy's and Girl's Soccer Programs, I have also coached girl's youth soccer (20 years), both with the YMCA and the Capital Soccer Club, in which I worked on the board as Vice President and Tournament Director for two years. I have also coached youth basketball for the YMCA and a traveling club team (JCBC) for 10 years. I also was an Assistant Wrestling Coach for the Jays for two years. I have coached seventeen different Destination Imagination (DI) teams from 2005 to 2018. I have coached 8 teams that advanced to the Global Finals Competition in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017 at the High School, Middle School and Elementary levels, including a first-ever, from the state of Missouri, Global Champion in the Instant Challenge Competition in 2012.I am a life-long learner myself and hope to spark the desire for high achievement and pursuit of knowledge in my students as well. I know that through hard work and excellent communication, I can help my students to accomplish any goal that they may choose for themselves. My classroom is a safe and creative place where students succeed both academically and as world citizens, showing respect and responsibility for themselves and their classmates.
