Hillary Stacey
Since Hillary Stacey was 15, she wanted to be a high school science teacher. She earned a dual degree: A Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Montana State University. Ms. Stacey worked in four different research institutions with cancer research being the common theme. While she loved researching, education was where she needed to be… simply put, she loves humans. After three years of teaching, she enrolled in a Master’s program at the University of Arizona and graduated with a Master’s of Arts in Secondary Education.
Ms. Stacey began her career teaching chemistry at Empire High School in 2013. She doubled the numbers in the program and launched the first AP chemistry program in the District. Ms. Stacey not only believes that students must understand the WHY before they learn the what, but she believes that learning must be fun. She found the perfect profession to merge her two loves — chemistry and theater — bringing humor and excitement to engage students. For example: on review days, students get to choose which accent (Russian, Southern, or Minnesotan) the lesson is conducted in; there are several lessons in which she and the students act out the behavior of atoms and molecules - often leading to uproarious laughter; students can depend on chemistry jokes and puns at least every five minutes.
Her favorite roles with our community are with her chemistry club. The club sponsors a Family Halloween Night, the night of living science where they invite families to come do some “spooky” experiments with them. But, their favorite event is their signature Magic Show that they take on the road inspiring the community by taking it to elementary schools, middle schools, Vail Pride Day, and to Freshman physics classes.
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