University City teacher uses birds to teach just about everything
November 20, 2008—Nikki Davenport, shows off a birdfeeder made of oranges, wooden dowels, and yarn to Andrew White, left, and Christine Politte, right, at the first meeting of the district birding club.
Nikki Davenport knows birds — and so do her students in the University City School District. Officially, she’s the district’s math and science coordinator. Unofficially, she’s the district’s “bird lady.” When she was a fourth grade teacher in the district, she helped develop a bird watching curriculum called BirdSleuth, which is run from Cornell University. Students can get lessons in art, science, math, history, and reading — all from studying birds. This year, Davenport is organizing a district-wide birding club.
It’s always fun to see teachers take a personal passion and use it to teach their students about that and so many other things. Check out today’s story to read more about her.
