Mrs. Jessica Graustein

Upper School Science Teacher, Head of Science Department, Class of 2023 Advisor, Science & Medical Club Advisor, Member of Technology & Fiduciary Committees
Since 2019
M.S. Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University
B.S. Biology, min. French, Wheaton College
Co-author: WATER WAYS (Folded Word, 2017)
Author: HOW TO WRITE AN EXCEPTIONAL THESIS OR DISSERTATION (Atlantic Publishing Group, 2014)
Paraeducator II Endorsement (NH)

Get to Know Mrs. Graustein

Mrs. Graustein began her career as Head Teaching Assistant at Northern Illinois University, then served as an Adjunct Professor at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, California. Her science curriculum at PCA emphasizes field explorations, microscopy, homeostasis, stewardship, scientific literature (both technical and creative), and the etymology of scientific terms. Her specialty topics include Aquatic Ecology, Plant Competition, and Bioethics. She also harnesses the power of new-media to enhance student engagement by creating audio-visual content for a wide range of distance-learning and learning-style needs.

What has been your favorite moment of teaching at PCA?
“My favorite moment so far at PCA has been the discovery of comb jellies off the PCA dock. Cal Burnham (Class of 2022) saw them first while we were out with Botany & Zoology. I took each of my classes to the dock that week to see them, and used my GoPro to film them underwater for the online students. I then worked with the Marine Science class to take the data that shaped our hypothesis: The comb jellies’ appearance so far upstream was probably due to the drought (summer-fall 2020), since there was no fresh water coming down the Bellamy River to dilute the ocean’s salt water.”

What is your favorite scripture?
Psalm 19