Elizabeth Bauer, one of the newest science department teachers of Hollis Brookline High School (HBHS), begins her first year as the sole AP Chemistry teacher. Anticipating the May 6, 2025 exam, Bauer will test her teaching skills for her eighteen hopeful students.
Bauer started her first AP Chemistry class for the students of HBHS on August 29, 2024. With the aim of improving the chemistry skills of interested students, Bauer is prepared for a productive year. “I want the students who are going on in chemistry to have a good foundation in chemistry,” said Bauer. Unlike other science courses, chemistry utilizes mathematics and experimentation to learn.
Bauer’s interest in the class originates from this type of teaching and learning. “What I like about chemistry is that it is very math-oriented with more hands-on activities,” said Bauer.
Coming from teaching at various universities, she says that teaching in high school is different. “High school is way different. It may be more fun to teach high school in some ways, especially when they do not resent being there,” said Bauer.
The extraordinarily laborious course, AP Chemistry, relies on a skilled and patient teacher which Bauer does not fall short of. “It’s definitely going to be a hard class, but our teacher is really nice. She has given some good lectures and I have been able to take some good notes,” said student Noah Taylor ‘25. From answering questions in class discussions to being available for out-of-class help, Bauer makes sure students understand the content.
The science unit is constantly changing and growing, which is why everyone is very pleased with the new addition to the department. “I am very pleased with how she’s done here as a teacher,” said Science Department Head Rodney Clark.
Before HBHS, Bauer taught at universities such as the University of Illinois and the University of Wisconsin. Bauer leaves students with high expectations for AP Chemistry.
![Students in Archaeology use tools in a mock excavation. As a class that focuses on hands-on learning, students are able to gain crucial life skills. “[The class] is more hands-on than I thought, and I'm learning way more with physical activities than I do in the classroom,” said student Tess Brown ‘25.](https://cavchronline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_8390-e1733078359165-1111x1200.jpg)
