Biology is the study of life, the scope of which is so broad one could get lost in it, but why should students learn biology? Why is it taught? Who at Brookdale is passionate enough about biology to teach students? These are all questions that one could easily be drawn to after first seeing the content covered in Brookdale’s biology courses.
Christopher Pflaum, an adjunct professor working in the Biology Department, teaches several biology courses every semester. When looking at his course material and advantages he provides to his students, it is undeniable that Pflaum holds a passionate bond to the subject.
During lectures one can often find Pflaum going above and beyond, explaining concepts that aren’t necessarily covered in a course, providing in-depth video and graphics for his teaching, and working things out with students one-on-one, ensuring nobody gets left behind.
“I think that if they need to take a class with a teacher, it might as well be with one who cares and wishes the best for them,” Pflaum said.
On the immediate first page of Pflaum’s Canvas for his biology classes, he displays tons of links to student services including therapy. It can make students feel very welcome and cared for when an educator offers information on therapy and other services before displaying their course material.
Recently Pflaum volunteered for the Cost Of Poverty Experience (COPE) event during Brookdale’s Civility Week. COPE is a project that takes participants through a simulation struggling and impoverished families in realistic scenarios. During this event people are asked to make difficult decisions to get by in “life” represented by 20-minute intervals.
Pflaum described COPE as “an experience that can be a catalyst to bring forward our thoughts and feelings about poverty.”
During COPE, Pflaum was responsible for ensuring the functioning of the project and the participation of all attendees. During several points of the project, Pflaum took control of the room over the microphone, redirecting everybody’s attention when necessary or ensuring the event’s realism.
In addition to the previously made points, Pflaum goes above and beyond to provide resources to students, reach out on a personal level and involve himself on campus. “I see my role as a resource for students. I can provide the education about the subject of biology, but I can also offer my lived experiences and share my resources whenever I can,” Pflaum said.
