Professional Highlights – Barbara Wolff-Reichert - March 2023

The Incredible Journey that began at the AAPT 1986 Winter Meeting in Atlanta and the Gift I hope to pass on - Barbara Wolff-Reichert

Although I had been teaching since 1963, my experience at the 1986 AAPT/APS Joint Winter Meeting in Atlanta was, essentially, my first introduction to AAPT. I had a physics minor from Swarthmore College and an MAT in the teaching of physics from Yale. I had taught PSSC physics in two superb high schools and been mentored by outstanding teachers in both. At Columbia High School, Maplewood, N.J. (my alma mater), I was part of a cadre of 5 physics teachers reaching 85% of the student body and taking 300 students a year to Six Flags Great Adventure for a “physics day”. The workbook we created became the basis for the national AAPT workbook that PASCO included with hand-held meters modeled on ones we had developed.

I was having an all but magical career, and yet, that first AAPT meeting was a life changing experience. For the first time, I was surrounded by people talking about physics. I could drop in on a conversation and be invited to participate. I was not some kind of “genius other” because I teach physics – which is so often considered the most difficult of all subjects. I had found “my” people.

I discovered a wide world of people and ideas that both enhanced my teaching and allowed me to share my own expertise. In the process, I became part of a network of amazing people who shared not only my passion for teaching but also my deep belief that physics should and can be part of every person's birthright.

And, of course, meeting Jonathan Reichert at the 1991 summer meeting in Vancouver was the most unexpected and beautiful gift.

Walking the hallways of those AAPT meetings, I got to meet MY heroes, the giants of my physics world. I hung out with Paul Hewitt, Alan Van Heuvelen, and Lillian McDermott. I had my picture taken with Don Ivey (who autographed my 1986 Announcer), chatted with Bob Resnick, and discussed ways to present sample problems with Paul Tipler. I even got to discuss force-meters with Paul Stokstad!

Among the people I hope this grant will reach are teachers with enough experience to have some expertise to share and the ability to appreciate what AAPT has to offer. As a PTRA and working with Yvette Van Hise in the NJ section, I saw under-supported and isolated teachers who were making a difference despite their lack of colleagues. Many of them developed wonderful techniques and teaching ideas that never were shared with others. When given a venue in which to share their personal “best stuff”, they have an immense capacity to grow in their own practice while simultaneously enhancing the offerings of AAPT.

If Harold Lefcourt, then president of the NJ section, had not become aware of the CHS amusement park project and arranged for me to come to that Atlanta meeting to share my school's experience, so much would never have happened. And, beyond all the rest of the benefits, my school districts were willing to help fund my projects and outreach because of my AAPT connection!