Florida Panthers October 2023 Teacher of the Month

Future GoalsTM Program

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Florida Panthers October 2023 Teacher of the Month

Name:

Diane Berkley

School:

Ernest R Graham K-8 Academy

Classroom Team:


Tell us about yourself!

I am a Middle School Social Sciences teacher in my 27th year. At a very young age I knew that I wanted to be a teacher, I am a 4th generation teacher. I love working with students and helping them understand new concepts. I volunteer at my school, a K-8 school, and at one of the local high schools. My volunteer time ranges from reading to the younger students to being the make-up and puppet designer for my school’s musical theatre club. Finally, I am a band parent who chaperone’s field trips, keeps the band hydrated and oversees the make-up design for the color guard. I have been a Florida Panthers fan since June 26, 1993 and I am season ticket holder.

What is your favorite part of the Future Goals™program? How do you see STEM in the game of hockey?

Many students find History to be boring and having no bearing on their lives today. Future Goals allows me to make the connection between the different time periods. We use the Paint the Ice section to show how the Ancient Mesopotamians and Egyptians were able to calculate the area of their fields. As an avid hockey fan, I see STEM in hockey every game. Science: keeping the ice cold, moving the puck, and skating in general. Technology: jumbotron. Engineering: Zamboni Math: Angling the puck.

If you played hockey, what position would you play and why?

If I played hockey I would be a winger. I have a decent wrist shot and I can be pesky around the net.