February 2026: Angela Douglass

About Angela

Throughout elementary school, I thought each grade was more fun than the previous. Every year, I dreamt of becoming a teacher of the grade I was in. Teaching has always been my goal. Physics, on the other hand, was not on my radar until much later. I was good at math, not science. I first took physics as a senior in high school and found it fun and challenging. But I never even considered a major in physics - it was so new to me, and just the name sounded so difficult! So, I went to college not really sure what I wanted to major in, but thinking I would do something with math and education.

My very first class in college was Calculus 1, taught by one of the physics professors. Partway through the semester, the professor stopped by to encourage me, saying I was excelling in the class, and asked whether I had ever considered taking some physics classes. I hadn’t considered physics classes, but I talked to some friends who had taken some physics, and I decided to give it a go. I took Physics 1 and Physics 2, and enjoyed them both. Who knew math could help understand the world through physics?! After the marvels of modern physics, I was hooked! Becoming a college professor and teaching other students about this amazing subject became my goal.

I have been teaching physics for several years now, and it has been good to have AAPT resources to support me throughout it all. Being at a primarily undergraduate institution, I have been fortunate to teach most of the core undergraduate physics courses, several labs, and even develop a few cross-over courses, such as Medical Physics and Science Methods for Elementary and Middle School Teachers. Some physics learning happens in the classroom, but some of my favorite times are in labs and office hours when students ask a variety of questions, form their understanding, and fall in love with physics too. In addition, I get to help organize and facilitate several outreach events for elementary and middle school students through the university. It is so fun to see children get excited about science and to see my college students share their knowledge and passion with others.

One thing I love about teaching and about physics is that both are always changing. Physics educators are always finding new and better ways to help students grasp the concepts, new and old. Through AAPT, I have had numerous opportunities to connect with others who share my passion for physics and teaching. I love attending the AAPT conferences and learning so many new techniques from others! I always head home with a notebook full of ideas and new connections to fellow educators. I believe these experiences have helped me grow as an educator and furthered my students’ understanding.

These days, I couldn’t imagine doing anything other than teaching physics! I love the students, I love walking alongside them as they discover how they want to impact the world and who they will be, and I love sharing the joy of this beautiful subject with them.