THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 5, 1995 TAG: 9505030174
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY VANEE VINES, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 141 lines
IT'S JUST AFTER 8:30 a.m. and the juniors and seniors in Cynthia Buck's advanced-placement chemistry class are trickling in. Around the room, students mutter as they take their seats.
If they hope she will ease up after months of intensive preparation for the upcoming AP chemistry exam given to top students across the country, they're out of luck.
There will be a quiz.
But first, Buck works out some sample problems on electrochemical oxidation and reduction so the class can get a feel for what's on it. Step by step, she demystifies the strings of numbers and letters - along the way, quizzing students on atomic charges, elements in the halogen group and binary acids.
While the teacher affectionately known as ``Ma Buck'' offers soothing words in times of distress and encouragement when lessons seem like the equivalent of a T.K.O., she doesn't let students take it easy.
A little vinegar, a little honey, high standards. That's the way ``Ma'' has done it for 13 years at I.C. Norcom High. She is Portsmouth's Teacher of the Year.
``My philosophy is: If you come in Room 312, we're preparing you for something higher,'' she explained. ``Regardless of your background, you can be successful. . . . My strong belief is that all children can learn, but we've got to be willing to create the lesson plans and the kinds of activities so they will be motivated enough to learn.''
Buck is famous for assigning homework over every holiday break - page after page of some of the most head-scratching chemistry problems she can think of. Homework on the first day of school is another must.
Her main goal is to help youngsters understand that performing well in math and science is not impossible. It simply takes loads of practice and discipline, as well as some guidance from her, she said.
Buck's name alone has struck terror in the hearts of many chemistry-bound students. She is teacher-bully-counselor-mother-friend; the teacher that students describe as super-hard, but one even those who aren't enrolled in her classes greet cheerfully in the halls or visit at lunchtime.
One recent afternoon, students secretly passed around a card congratulating her on the award. Boys and girls alike penned messages such as: ``Ma Buck, I love you with all my heart''. . .``The love of my life''. . .``I will never forget you, Ma, because you have taught me, inspired me, been a role model.''
``She takes a very deep interest in her students,'' said Mary Ann Ward, the district's science specialist. ``She looks at them as individuals and helps them become well-rounded out of school, as well as in.''
Ceceilia Jones, the school's PTA president, said ``supportive'' best describes the teacher.
Buck is a Norfolk native and minister at that city's New Bethlehem Church of Christ. She has the momentum of a locomotive rolling downhill, and her classes are marked by a sense of urgency.
``If you're to achieve, be at the top of your chosen profession, you must constantly work, redefine and correct your art,'' she said. ``. . .I don't believe kids have time to waste. We have too many that are falling through the cracks. I can't afford to have a kid come in here and not give all I can give. I'm not preparing kids just to leave 312 and go to the next room.''
Her lectures are a blend of humor, charm, drill-sergeant intensity and lots of elbow grease. She's a big fan of hands-on lab work; and she believes teachers must be both nurturing and masters of explanation to keep student frustration to a minimum.
Those who know her say her strength lies in her ability to make students want to learn.
``She's just a force that draws you to her,'' said colleague Velvoria Carey, who heads Norcom's business education department. ``The only types of comments I've ever gotten from her former students are things like, `I have to complete such-and-such task because Ma Buck says I can.' They reach for the goal, whatever it is.''
Julie Barnes Dunn, a Norcom graduate now attending Old Dominion University, signed up for Buck's chemistry class during her junior year.
``I had a lot of fear going in because she had a reputation for being so hard,'' Dunn said. ``But I learned a lot. In the end, I had a wonderful understanding of what was going on and I felt as though I could handle any problem.
``She goes over things until you get it. I knew she really wanted us to excel because she was always pushing you on and she was there after school, during lunch, any time you needed her. She's very fair, too.''
Buck, 36, always wanted to teach. She was a stellar student, the girl who tutored neighbors and loved to play school. She also enjoyed sitting on the porch and listening to the old folks talk.
Her interest in chemistry grew out of personal experience. Several relatives had died of cancer. Growing up, she read product labels before that was considered hip. She wanted to learn more about how different types of food, vitamins and other substances affected the body and the environment.
She later decided to become the kind of teacher who clearly answered students' questions and helped them relate abstract formulas and theories to the real world.
``When I was an undergraduate at ODU, I had a horrible inorganic chemistry class,'' she recalled. ``It started off with about 200 students, many of whom wanted to be doctors and go into other science-related professions. They were just so interested in chemistry, but the professor was simply horrible. I think the class dwindled to about 30 students.
``I said to myself, `If I were teaching this class, I'd break it all down so everything would be clear, and then take everything one step at a time and talk about current events and ordinary household products and things they can relate to.' Chemistry is everywhere. It's in everything we do, and we need to know what's going on around us chemically.''
One of her other missions is to encourage more girls and minority students to pursue careers in math and science - increasingly important areas as computers and international trade play bigger roles in everyday life.
And areas in which those groups traditionally have been under-represented.
Buck is the adviser to Norcom's branch of Cooperating Hampton Roads Organizations for Minorities in Engineering (CHROME). The group seeks to increase the number of minority and female students entering math, science, engineering and related technical fields by offering programs and resources to middle and high school students.
She puts a premium on keeping her own skills sharp.
``I don't want to get satisfied or complacent. I think there should be in every teacher's life a point where they go back and revamp, learn new techniques.''
Kelly Earl, a 17-year-old senior taking advanced-placement chemistry, had nothing but adoring words for her teacher.
``You can call her house and talk to her on the phone: Miss Buck not only helps you out in class with your work, but with problems in your social life, too,'' Earl said.
``She's like a best friend. She cares about you and she makes you feel better after you've made a mistake in class. She really wants to help you do the best you can.'' ILLUSTRATION: [color cover photo Cynthia Buck]<
Staff photos by MARK MITCHELL
Cynthia Buck works out some sample problems in an advanced-placement
chemistry class at I.C. Norcum.
In Room 312, Cynthia Buck's chemistry lectures are a blend of humor,
charm, drill-sergeant intensity and lots of elbow grease. She's a
big fan of hands-on lab work.
KEYWORDS: TEACHER OF THE YEAR PORTSMOUTH by CNB