Biddinger brings Bio diversity

Science teacher Ms. Jennifer Biddinger recently joined the staff of Milton High School. She currently teaches Environmental Science and Biology.

According to Ms. Biddinger, this is her 12th year teaching science. She said she previously taught in the Mount Carmel School District as an eighth grade science teacher. She added she has also taught Chemistry, Earth and Science, AP Biology and Honors Biology at the high school level.

Ms. Biddinger said before she became a science teacher, she worked as a lab technician in Dr. Jessica Pagana-DeFazio’s doctor’s office in Sunbury.

Ms. Biddinger said she grew up in Northumberland and graduated from Shikellamy High School in 1998. She added that she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Health Science at Penn College and is currently finishing her Master’s Degree in Biology at Bloomsburg University. She added she has to finish her thesis on “the effects of acid mine drainage in streams on microbial enzymes.”

According to Ms. Biddinger, she originally planned to earn a Physician Assistant Degree and was accepted into a program; however, her father was diagnosed with lung cancer. She said her father’s words of encouragement helped motivate her to go back to school and change her major to Applied Health Science. “Before he passed away, I went back to school to become a teacher,” she added.

Ms. Biddinger said she became a science teacher because she likes science and enjoys explaining it.

Ms. Biddinger described her time at Milton so far as “busy.” She added there are a lot of new procedures, which she is trying to keep up with along with lesson plans. “There are also new online textbooks that are new to me. I use them in both of my classes,” she added.

“We try to do as much hands-on learning as possible,” Ms. Biddinger said. She added she likes to relate science to real life to make learning easier for her students.

Ms. Biddinger said outside of school, she likes to run and be outdoors. She added she has two daughters: Zoey and Paige.

According to Ms. Biddinger, more funding would be her hope for the district. She added she would like for students to be able to go on week-long field trips, such as to Yellowstone National Forest or to a shore along the coast to watch horseshoe crabs spawn or sea turtle eggs hatch.

She has some life advice for students, though. “Pick something that getting the job is actually feasible. You don’t pick a job to be an archeologist and plan to live in Milton,” Ms. Biddinger said.

Ms. Biddinger said the students in her Environmental Science class are currently working with the Northumberland Conservation District to plant trees along the Limestone Creek at the Brown Avenue Park.

“We’re getting 250 trees to plant by Brown Ave. to prevent erosion along the Limestone Creek and Brown Ave.,” Senior Tanner Walter said.

Tanner said his favorite thing about Ms. Biddinger is that she is able to adapt to different kinds of students.

Learning Support Teacher Ms. Rebecca Williams said her favorite thing about Ms. Biddinger is they both have common interests, such as their love for essential oils and exercise. According to Ms. Williams, Ms. Biddinger’s positive attitude and ideas make the school a better place for students and staff.

“As a new teacher, she brings energy and new ideas to the Milton High School,” Ms. Williams said.