Beloved science teacher Kirsten Gentry is retiring after 25 years of teaching. Gentry started her career student teaching at Ferndale High School before she was hired at FHS next year.
Gentry mainly taught freshmen and upperclassmen in classes ranging from regular, honors, and AP biology, to chemistry, physics, regular and AP environmental science, to genetics and biotechnology, anatomy and even a leadership class. She also helped start up the LINK program, where upperclassmen sign up to help the incoming freshmen navigate their way around FHS during their first year.
By far, Gentry’s favorite subject to teach has been biology. While there is a running gag that she hates chemistry and favors biology, she acknowledges that the two go hand in hand with each other.
“You need chemistry for biology,” Gentry said. “It’s okay to have a favorite, and that favorite is clearly biology. I love teaching honors bio. I think the freshmen are so fun. I love AP bio because it’s an upper level course and you can really dive into some of the topics.”
Over her extensive 25 year career, Gentry feels that the students have been the highlight of it.
“I know it sounds cheesy,” Gentry said, “but you guys are so fun and so cool, and it’s been interesting to watch how things change over the years. I love coming in here and just being a goofball and the discussions that students have when I pose a question. I just think it’s great.”
While Gentry loves teaching and the environment she has with her students, she is excited for the possibilities that retiring will open up.
“I’m really looking forward to being able to focus on my family more,” Gentry said. “When you have two working parents and kids, it’s like this constant juggling. I’ve never seen a first day for my kids. I can’t wait to do [the] first day of school in the fall.”
A meaningful moment from her career that stands out the most was when her family experienced a house fire eight years ago. Both FHS students and the community supported Gentry and her family.
“I had people giving us gift certificates for restaurants,” Gentry said. “One parent knitted a kid’s blanket for one of my children. It was such a community thing where the kids, the parents, the teachers, everyone really banded together to help my family out in a very traumatic experience and I will never forget that.”
Despite these hardships, Gentry’s impact on students has been undeniable.
“I like Mrs. Gentry’s class because it’s such a welcoming place,” AP Biology junior Finn Larsen said. “She’s such a passionate teacher. Her love for biology makes you want to learn all of the interesting things she enjoys.”
Junior Emma Mohr, who is also an AP Biology student, experienced Gentry’s strong impact firsthand.
“Mrs. Gentry is by far one of the best science teachers I’ve ever had,” Mohr said. “She works hard to help each and every one of her kids, putting in so much effort to bring out the best in others. Her passion is evident in her work. She’s an amazing teacher and [FHS] won’t be the same without her.”
Gentry’s time at FHS has been an immensely impactful one, for her and her students alike. She has made a positive mark on many people’s lives, and her teaching will be missed by many.
