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Carawan gets retirement down to a science
SAT.| 01-9-21 | FEATURES
After 25 years of hard work and dedication to the public school system, science teacher Alicia Carawan has reached retirement. Carawan has always been known as an energetic and enthusiastic teacher. She knows how to initiate positive reinforcement within the classroom, and she has always been praised for her ability to teach students in a positive way and help them grow their confidence. Carawan has taught at a total of four schools: D. H. Conley High School, Wellcome Middle School, Ayden Grifton High School and Rose High School. She has also taught an array of subjects such as anatomy, biology, chemistry, physical science, earth science and forensics. Carawan is very experienced within the science field and has always sought to teach others to love it as well.
“[My favorite part of teaching is] when students suddenly get it and have that aha moment, especially when we're doing something like anatomy or genetics,” Carawan said.
As a science teacher, Carawan loves to see students grow while their knowledge of science also grows. She has always held science close to her heart because of the significance of the impact it can have on people’s lives. This is what has always been the reason for science being her favorite subject to educate students on.
“I want students to appreciate science [and] understand how amazing it is that atoms and molecules make the world go ‘round,” Carawan said.
Photo by Annie Sullivan
Carawan has worked very hard to try and spark an interest in science for all Rose students, she established the National Science Honor Society (NSHS) here at Rose. Through NSHS she has brought many outreach programs for members to participate in. For example, Carawan brought Science Olympiad, where students compete in events related to scientific topics, for students to participate in. She furthered this initiative through prompting Rose members to branch out and bring Science Olympiad to local elementary students. On top of that, she has organized a learning trip to the Galapagos Islands.
“Taking students to the Galapagos was my best memory,” Carawan said. “Students got to see so much biology in action and watch it fall in place, we were all amazed.”
These in-school activities are some of the things that Carawan feels she will miss most about Rose. However, her classes and club participation have been greatly affected by COVID-19, altering the way she interacts with students.
“We don’t get to do labs or hands-on activities, and we don’t get to do the group work we would all like to do,” Carawan said.
These drastic changes are what led Carawan into her decision to retire at the end of the semester. However, she has big plans for after retirement. Her daughter has recently moved to Georgia and Carawan plans to do the same so that she can be with family. Although Carawan will not be in North Carolina, she does wish to keep up with her co-workers and students, although she won’t be at Rose.
“[I will miss] interacting with all of the students and all of the teachers,” Carawan said. “The science hall - we’re all like a big family.”
Carawan has entered her final days here at Rose until she reaches retirement, and she knows she will truly miss being a part of the Rose family. Carawan knew she wanted to be a teacher since she was young and is proud of the 25 years she spent working with students and fellow teachers. With her final days as a teacher approaching, she leaves the Rose student body and faculty with a word of encouragement and wisdom.
“Recognize coming into high school you have a fresh start and a clean slate, keep this trek so it is a positive experience,” Carawan said. “For teachers, if you love it, do it.”
