At the Union vs Broken Arrow football game, Union’s Principal Tony Tempest was presented a check for Science and Math education at Union high school by the people of Oklahoma Oil & Natural Gas.
One of the teachers who will benefit from this donation is Emily Hallford who teaches Environmental Science & Advanced Zoology at Union High.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. Your hobbies, your passions.
My hobbies include all things nature with exploring outdoors and collecting odd nature things. I have a house full of critters (dogs, cats, snakes, lizards, & backyard chickens) plus a toddler to entertain me. I enjoy listening to a variety of music and watching cooking competitions. I love puzzles, board games, and meeting up weekly with friends to play Dungeons & Dragons.
I am a zookeeper turned teacher. I worked at Tulsa Zoo as a Primate Keeper for 13 years. Life changes led me to pursue an alternative teaching certificate that brought me to the classroom. Ultimately, after the birth of my daughter, I started to have physical limitations that kept zookeeping from being enjoyable. I miss the animals, but teaching has given me a new way to support conservation. Keeper chats were one of my favorite daily encounters because I could provide guests copious information about the animals and share a story or two about their personalities. Being able to share the passion of animals and conservation with my students makes my heart whole.
What classes do you teach?
Environmental Science & Advanced Zoology
Where did you go to college and what led you into teaching?
I got my bachelor’s from Northeastern State University (NSU) in Biology while I interned at the Tulsa Zoo. My goal at the time was to work with animals in some capacity. Once I transitioned to being a teacher, I chose to go back for my master’s in education. I just completed my master’s in Curriculum and Instruction for Science Education from Southeastern Oklahoma State University (SEOSU).
Who mentored you into the educator you are today?
My mother is a retired Tulsa Public School teacher that encouraged me to pursue teaching. Once I started teaching in 2021, Aryn Hardman became my co-teacher and biggest supporter/mentor. Without being able to work side by side with Aryn, I would not have likely survived my first year as a teacher.
What do you love about teaching?
I enjoy the ah-ha moments, the questions that lead to more discussions – even the bunny trails that we might go down, and the relationships I get to build with my students.
What is great about your current school?
I am a Union lifer. I love how everyone is there to support each other. The administrators, the teachers, counselors, and parents are all involved to help the students become successful.
Why is teaching Science and Math so important?
Science opens the world through discovery. One can ask a question and either run an experiment or make observations that can lead to answers based on evidence found. I thoroughly enjoy discussions that challenge our current thinking.
On behalf of Union Public Schools, Mr. Tempest presented a Redhawks game ball to the People of Oklahoma Oil & Natural Gas.
