As long as AnnMarie Buabeng can remember, the idea of teaching lingered in the back of her mind. Even in elementary school, she found herself observing her teachers closely, taking mental notes on what she would, and wouldn’t do if she had a classroom of her own.

When it came time for college, Buabeng chose a different path. She enrolled at Lake Forest College on a pre-med track, majoring in Chemistry.

Growing up, she had always loved science, and knew she wanted to pursue one of the sciences as her major. Chemistry, in particular, stood out to her. The subject challenged her in a way that felt exciting rather than overwhelming. 

“That was the one subject I took that I was excited to do my homework for,” said Buabeng.

Although she enjoyed science, she knew she did not want to pursue a career working in the lab. She found she loved tutoring and mentoring students instead. If she continued the medical route, she claims “I most likely would have pursued a career as a physician’s assistant.”

 Between the two professions, she decided to explore her passion and pursue a career in education as a junior. Unexpectedly during this time, COVID-19 hit.

The following year, due to the pandemic, she completed her senior seminar for Chemistry and completed a minor in Education. Post graduation, she went back to Lake Forest College to earn her masters in teaching. Now she is in her fourth year of teaching, and her first year at Lake Forest High School as a Material Science and Chemistry teacher.

“Teaching Materials Science is such a joy,” Buabeng said. “The students are excellent, and the course is unlike any other course that I personally have encountered.” 

Material Science is a project based course, and similarly, Buabeng did her masters thesis on project based learning. She mentioned that she wanted to apply the information that she learned to allow for real world based contexts, and content that is embedded into the class.

So far, she describes her experience being a teacher at LFHS as being great. She has loved watching students create informative and engaging presentations.

 One example during 1st semester was watching Toy Story 3 to learn and relate it to methods of recycling for the plastics unit.

 “Being able to explore these applications of materials and engineering have been so much fun,” said Buabeng.

She has also loved having the opportunity to teach Chemistry. She mentioned how thankful she is to get to teach both topics that peak her interest, as it was the subject she earned her bachelor degree for in college.

Outside of school, Ms. Buabeng’s favorite hobby is dancing.

 “I have learned and taught myself a variety of genres of dance just because it is so interesting to me,” said Buabeng.

Ms. Buabeng has a great appreciation for the arts and musical arts, absolutely hates coffee but likes tea, prefers fried ripened plantains and ripened plantain chips as a snack, and has created songs using online software with her knowledge of making electronic music.  

Her goal is that every person who walks into her classroom feels cared about, valued, and feels like they belong, because they do.

 “I want students to feel free to make mistakes because making mistakes is how we learn,” said Buabeng.