Powering on Through Physics with Mr. Proctor by Tyler Ferreira Alves Hill
“There is no authority who decides what is a good idea.” is a quote said by Richard P. Feynman and has been applied to the wide wonderful world of science. Here at Melbourne High School, alongside history, science runs its courses for students to pick from. From biology, to chemistry, and to marine biology. Although, a lot of students had found their opportunities and succeeded in physics, like student Matthew Marcano in his physics 1 class taught by Mr. Proctor.
Mr. Proctor has been one of the three residential physics teachers’ here at Mel High for the past 10 years, and has found his job to be well. “It definitely has its ups and downs, but overall I think it’s a very good career option, and I think it’s a good fit for me. It's important that you’re doing something you’re happy with.” said Mr. Proctor. His appreciation is expected after he found such an appreciation for it. “I used to have a corporate job, and I went back to school to finish my bachelors. I did some tutoring while I was at school. While doing tutor, I was like ‘hey this is kind of entertaining. I enjoy teaching, and seeing people get that a-ha moment—learning things.’ So I thought I might try teaching for a few years right after finishing school because I was getting burned out from the whole corporate work structure. I came to teach and I was like, ‘man this job is great!’” said Mr. Proctor.
Throughout the year, the class has learned various subjects, which ranged from circuitry, centripetal forces, and most recently… “For the last couple weeks we’ve been doing optics mostly, which is refraction, reflection, diffusion, Snell’s law, how much light bends in different mediums, magnification, lenses and mirrors—concave and convex.” said Mr. Proctor. As for what the students thought? “We have been working on reflections mostly, and how light refracts. It’s all very interesting. Like all classes, it takes time to learn and you’ll know how to do it. It helps that Mr. Proctor is a calm and get-going man, and very reasonable.” said Marcano.
On more good praises for the classroom, Marcano elaborated. “It’s important so you’re not dumbfounded when you see a ball rolling down or a light refracting off the water, or see light reflecting on a mirror—prism.” said Marcano, and continued, “I recommend to ones who want to pursue engineering, quantum physics, what else is there… chemistry, bio-chemistry. Things for the people in the field.” said Marcano.
As he said, the class’ is a very fascinating and enjoyable time, but there is nuance to it. “I would recommend it if you are interested at all in science, but it also depends. First-up, physics isn’t required to get your diploma so don’t feel like you have to take it. If you’re just trying a high school GED and head out, that’s not really a necessary thing at all. However, it is beneficial and useful to get. If you are trying to go to a selective school at all, I think it’s a very good course to take. If you are not worried, it’s not really necessary. If you are trying to go into any career in stem, then I think it’s definitely useful. So it just depends on what your future goals are, and how much you’re interested in science.” said Mr. Proctor.
So for the students that have not decided classes, and for students that have picked physics, you can look forward to a class that teaches not only its own fascinating subjects, but has brought an appreciation for science and the world to all. “I hope they get a good basic understanding of how physics works—on how science works—and the rest of their life when they’re reading the news or reading a science article, they have a basic understanding of that article and know where it’s coming from.” concluded, Mr. Proctor.
Caption:
Preparing for more in Physics: Mr. Proctor at his desk planning out the next courses his students will learn as the school year approaches an end. Mr. Proctor recently concluded teaching his student’s optics, and has planned to educate them on some complex yet fascinating parts of the universe. “We only really have four weeks of teaching stuff, since I want the last few weeks to be about reviewing things for the exam… If we have time, we might do photons, quantum stuff, maybe geology? But probably not since it’s a bit much for what we have time for.” said Mr. Proctor. Photo by Tyler Ferreira Alves Hill.