From the Feature Editor

Often when teachers get together, at summer conferences, workshops, or even just in the break room, talk revolves around teaching. What do you hear in this off-the-cuff "teacher talk"? It might be a quick description of something funny that happened in the classroom. It might be a story about something that inspired you. It might be a more serious anecdote that makes one ponder.

At an American Chemical Society meeting, I was chatting with George Sellers, a high school chemistry teacher who was then teaching in Florida. In the course of our conversation, he shared an anecdote about the Nobel Laureate Sir Harold Kroto. It really struck a chord with me. I wondered how stories like this, and other stories you share with your fellow teachers every day, could reach a wider audience. Hearing about the experiences of other teachers can help us realize our place in a wider community of educators. Stories can help us to recharge. They can make us laugh. They can inspire us.

As a result, I'd like to offer the forum of this "Teacher Talk" feature. It's particularly for stories from high school teachers, and will appear occasionally, as accepted submissions arise. I thank George for sharing his story, and encourage you to listen to your own teacher talk for a story you might share with us. Send your submission to the Editorial Office, indicating it is for the Teacher Talk feature.

In this article, George Sellers recalls a Saturday symposium for local high school chemistry teachers at Florida Southern College held in the summer of 2005.