TEACHER'S CORNER: TRINITY SCIENCE INSTRUCTOR BRINGS OUTDOORS INSIDE

Science is not just an indoor subject with Paul Albertin at Trinity Lutheran School.

"One of the things I use to build interest in the classroom is to bring the outside into our class," Albertin said.

"The students, as well as myself, enjoy observing the unusual as well as the common things in nature."

Albertin teaches sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade science classes and physical education. He has taught at Trinity for five years.

"I became a teacher because I love working with children," he said. "As long as I can remember, I wanted to teach."

Albertin's education includes an associate degree from Concordia Junior College in Milwaukee, Wis., a bachelor's degree in education from Concordia Teachers College at Seward, Neb., and a master's degree in education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Albertin's class has studied rocks, fossils and plants. He also has kept terrariums with frogs, snakes, lizards, fish, slugs, spiders and ants.

Each spring he takes his students to Trail of Tears State Park where they spend the day identifying vegetation, back-packing or orienteering in the park.

"The best part of my job is the thanks coming straight from the student," he said, "or the gratifying nod that says, `I understand.'

"Teaching in a Christian school, I have that gratification compounded with the opportunity to share my Christian faith."

Albertin coaches the Trinity Track Club, which has grown to over 75 members in grades 1-8. The track club competes with other track clubs in Southeast Missouri.

He also coaches in CAYSA league soccer and Optimist Club league basketball.

He is a youth counselor for the Trinity Youth Group.

Albertin lives with his wife, Tara. They have two sons, Nathan, 7, and Matthew, 4.

His interests include refinishing furniture and wood crafts.