By Audrey Cueto
Mrs. Stacy Monson teaches Biology, AP Biology, and Honors Chemistry. As you pass by her classroom, you might not realize the fascinating collection she has built over the years. Mrs. Monson has gathered an impressive amount of dead animals, specifically reptiles and amphibians, which are carefully stored in jars around her classroom. Her collection features at least 50 specimens in just one of her cabinets alone. Her fascination with collecting these has stemmed from her love for biology and chemistry. Monson explains that, “one thing about biologists is if you can’t study it live, having dead stuff in jars is a good way to go.” She even went on to say that some of her collection had been previous pets, while others she bought along the way. Mrs. Monson stores these animals in special fluids to keep them long lasting for her students to examine. She had said that “traditionally formaldehyde is the chemical that they are [preserved] in,” but it is not always the healthiest. Over the years “it’s changed over to some other kinds of preservative fluids.” This process takes a lot of patience, knowledge, and commitment. She noted that her favorite part of her collection is her side blotched lizard, which she wrote her masters thesis on. She has owned some of her collection for over 30 years, and strictly uses them to display in her classroom. Her incredible enthusiasm and interest with biology and these animals shows that her dedication to teaching goes beyond just textbooks.