While out for a normal class lesson on April 25, the bio 3 class at Dunbar noticed a water snake struggling to free itself from tangled debris in the creek near the school. With no original intention to interact with the snake, Mr. Jesse Howell decided to rescue the snake.
“I felt compelled to do something about it, it was like an emotional call or pull that I should take some form of action to help the snake,” he said.
“We didn’t have tools, not that we needed many,” said Mr. Howell, “ but what I did was call up Mr. Turner to save the day with some scissors!”
The snake, trapped by plastic and creekside trash, was eventually freed and released back into the water unharmed.
The experience was something that Mr. Howell explained as an unexpected learning opportunity, and the reaction of his students was something he said he was truly proud of.
“They were engaged and excited about the experience, all taking part and actively participating,” he said. “Even if they were not directly contributing, they were being calm and following along with the group.”
He said that over the year, the class had focused on several different organisms’ ecosystems and their relationship, but students getting to interact with these ecosystems is not a common experience.
“Even though it was shocking,” he said, “it is honestly part of our curriculum involving environmental science and ecology—two main focuses in our class.”
He said this experience was also a reminder of the importance of keeping the environment clean.
“The creek is filled with all types of trash, and most of it flows in the Beaumont neighborhoods,” he said.
Because many of the students live in these neighborhoods, Mr. Howell said that they were able to see the impacts of their actions.
“I think my students benefited from seeing that [snakes] are just a part of life and they deserve a clean environment, ” said Mr. Howell.
