The Best

With more than 30 years experience as an educator in public schools and higher learning institutions, Dr. John McBride has empowered teachers to engage their students in science education by making learning hands-on and fun. As program director of the master’s in elementary education at The University of Texas-Pan American, McBride instructs local school teachers and administrators about how to teach science more effectively in their classrooms.

As the son of a scientist, McBride followed in his father’s footsteps and completed a degree in botany from Brigham Young University (BYU). While attending graduate school, an unplanned visit with a professor in the education department landed him a job offer for a teaching position at a local public school. He accepted and fell in love with the career that took him to other school districts across the country.

He went on to further his education by completing a master’s from BYU in curriculum and instruction and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction-science education from the University of Houston. He joined the UTPA faculty in 1978.

“I wanted a place to raise my children. I came here and fell in love with the area,” said McBride, a native of San Angelo, Texas.

McBride has also helped nearly 150 local educators attain master’s degrees and high-intensity professional development while offering them a tuition support grant through a program he co-founded at the University 13 years ago. The UTPA Regional Collaborative for Excellence in Science Teaching was one of the first of its kind in Texas and its graduates are employed as educators and administrators in every school district in Hidalgo County.

“A bachelor’s degree is an entry into the profession as teachers and once they get grounded they need to come back and refine their pedagogical skills to become more of an expert. Our master’s program provides them with a greater understanding of the content they teach, as well as the students,” McBride said. “Tuition is expensive and these teachers have families and other responsibilities and they just need a little help financially.”

There is an unmistakable twinkle in his eye when he is in his science teaching laboratory where he created an in-class museum of objects found in nature, models, and science materials.

“This lab is my pride and joy,” McBride said. “I encourage each teacher to create their own in-class museum because it’s important that children be exposed to new things and that they are able to touch and feel the science objects so they can experiment with them.”

McBride uses his science teaching laboratory to “teach by doing” and advocates that teachers need to provide children with experiences to help them learn. Most importantly, he feels great teachers should possess three qualities.

“Teachers need to love children,” McBride said. “That is necessary, but not sufficient. They also have to understand children and they have to understand pedagogy, which is the strategies of instruction.”

Dr. Martha Tevis, professor of education at UTPA who has worked with McBride for more than 30 years, said McBride is a dedicated faculty member who has donated his time freely to help local schools and enrich student’s learning.

“I have a picture of him in my mind carrying big boxes of science materials out to his car and driving off to yet another elementary or secondary classroom to demonstrate the fun and wonder of science to a classroom full of awe-struck young people,” Tevis said. “All of his many hours spent in the public schools he has considered to be a part of the mission of the College of Education and not a way to earn extra income as a consultant. The time and expertise Dr. McBride has provided to schools is truly a gift, for he never takes any remuneration for it.”

McBride has conducted numerous research studies in which he evaluated different ways to teach children, including using toys to get students interested in science. Another piece of research examined how science fairs were being judged and discussed the problems associated with having winners and losers at the fairs and proposed alternatives to the traditional prize system.

Former student Janette Trejo, an elementary science strategist for Weslaco Independent School District, said McBride showed her how to get involved as an educator and how to enjoy learning.

“He leads by example and he models enjoying being an educator. Most importantly, he makes learning fun,” Trejo said. “You become a better teacher by learning from him. He’s very generous and he is always looking for ways to help teachers and administrators become lifelong learners.”

McBride, who was most recently recognized with the 2009 Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching in the College of Education, also collaborated with the College of Science and Engineering to develop a physics major and minor, a minor in physical science, and a specialized concentration in chemistry for science teachers.

Described by his students and colleagues as warm-hearted and generous, McBride said he hopes that his life has made a difference in the lives of others, who have in turn made a difference in the lives of children.

“To watch Dr. McBride in his university classroom is to watch a master teacher at work,” Tevis said.

For more information about the UTPA Department of Curriculum and Instruction, call 956/381-3401.