Jokes, Songs Complete Lisa Casey-O’Brien’s Lessons at Poway High

If Lisa Casey-O’Brien had decided to stay in school just a little longer, she may never have realized her passion for teaching.

The Poway High science and physics teacher was named one of the district's three Teacher of the Year award recipients of 2011, alongside Julie Harris, fourth-grade teacher at Willow Grove Elementary, and Jo Ann Cooper, an eighth-grade math teacher at Twin Peaks Middle School.

Casey-O’Brien said while in college she debated between becoming a teacher or continuing her college education and becoming a doctor.

“I was pre-med for a while but was trying to decide between teaching and medicine,” Casey-O’Brien said. “I felt both were rewarding professions and had an interest in both, so I decided to try teaching first. It made more sense financially to go to school one extra year to become a teacher and return to [medical] school if I did not like the job.”

Luckily, she realized that she really did have a love of teaching and said she can’t imagine working as anything else.

A science and physics teacher at Poway High for the last 15 years, Casey-O’Brien said she wasn’t even expecting to be nominated, let alone win a Teacher of the Year award.

“It definitely came as a surprise,” Casey-O’Brien said. “I was very surprised to learn the true purpose of the student services teacher and the principal’s visit, and my students were ecstatic.”

Casey-O’Brien said her favorite subjects in high school were science and English.

 “I really enjoyed learning in so many classes. I was fortunate to have many great teachers in a variety of subjects,” Casey-O’Brien said. “In college, I enjoyed the subjects of science and religious studies the most.”

Her love for science and unique teaching methods, such as using jokes and lighthearted songs to help students remember physics equations, makes science enjoyable and understandable.

She also employs a very practical approach to helping students grasp the complicated tenets of physics. A field trip to Magic Mountain allows students to measure forces and speeds, and an analysis of playground equipment helps students learn about forces and safety.

Casey-O’Brien said she lets her enthusiasm for science show and hopes that her excitement impacts her students as well.

And she must be doing something right.

Casey-O’Brien has helped her students achieve astonishing levels of pass rates on tests. Students in her classes have a 96 percent pass rate for California Standards Tests and a 93 percent pass rate for AP tests.

In order to help each of her students achieve their absolute best, Casey-O’Brien makes special arrangements for students due to illness, special needs or individual circumstances.

In addition to going above and beyond for her students, Casey-O’Brien is involved in a number of other school activities. She serves as a representative of the Poway Federation of Teachers, is on the hiring committee at Poway High School for new science teachers, and is faculty adviser for the physics club and the African American Student Alliance. She also participates in ASB activities, spirit week and peer counseling.

Casey-O’Brien said she has always enjoyed learning and teaching and couldn’t be more pleased to win a Teacher of the Year award.

“It feels great, of course,” Casey-O’Brien said. “Since I am surrounded by excellent teachers in PUSD, it is especially meaningful to be chosen as teacher of the year.”

Check back with Poway Patch on Tuesday and Wednesday to read about Julie Harris and Jo Ann Cooper. Also read