When students walk into class each day, they never quite know what they are going to see. A live animal or something even stranger might be waiting beyond the door as the “Thing of the Day”. Behind it all is a beloved teacher who came out of retirement to help out a colleague in need. Andrew Weaver brings decades of experience, a passion for wildlife and a reputation for his unique and spontaneous teaching style.
Weaver retired in 2023 after 30 plus years of teaching biology and AP Environmental Science. He has returned to the classroom while Human Anatomy teacher Laura Krajewski is out on medical leave to teach her human anatomy class.
Weaver has many years of teaching experience. He returned to the classroom because he “enjoys being in front of students” and hopes to leave a lasting impact on the students and inspire them to be curious and love science.
In 2017, Weaver was nominated for the teacher of the year award because of his interactive teaching style and his unique peregrine falcon propagation lab.
Science teacher Peter Stenross took over Weaver’s AP Environmental Science class when he retired. Stenross expressed that Weaver played a pivotal role in building the AP Environmental Science program and left big shoes to fill.
Weaver is a licensed falconer, a person who trains, cares for or hunts with raptors such as hawks, falcons or eagles. He even started the Falcon Project that bred and raised over 100 adult falcons and released them into the wild.
Weaver’s extensive falconry knowledge often presents itself in the classroom. Addison Lorinser, a junior in Weaver’s human anatomy class, said his falconry background shows up in the “Thing of the Day,” whether it is a live falcon or a piece of falconry equipment.
Many students say Weaver’s classroom stands out because lessons often go beyond a textbook. Lorinser said the unpredictable nature of the class keeps students engaged and excited for class. Whether it is a surprise dissection, a story from Weaver’s years working with wildlife or a rare artifact brought into the classroom, students never quite know what will happen next.
Everyday to start off class Weaver brings in a “Thing of the Day” which can span anywhere from live animals to rare artifacts.
When asked more about the origin of the famous “Thing of the Day,” Weaver said, “Thing of the Day is a way of entertaining and educating and getting everybody hooked” he explained that he learned to start off class with something really flashy to engage students and make school and learning exciting.
After decades of teaching at Stillwater Area High School, returning to the classroom for a colleague on medical leave has given Weaver a chance to remind students why science is fun, exciting and unpredictable. From “Things of the Day” to surprise dissections, Stenross said, “he had a great way of connecting with students,” a quality that has left its mark on the school and generations of students.
