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Alicia Schiller is Central Lee teacher
Alicia Schiller is the biology and advanced biology teacher at Central Lee High School in Donnellson.
“I started teaching at Central Lee in the fall of 2004,” she said. “Prior to teaching at Central Lee High School, I taught anatomy/physiology and biology at Ottumwa High School. I have been teaching science for six years.”
She graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor's degree in science, majoring in botany, and a minor in science education.
“Along with being the biology teacher at Central Lee High School, I am also the sponsor for the student AFS (American Field Services) Club, which serves as a network to the exchange students that our high school hosts each year,” she said. “We will host two young ladies during the upcoming school year, one from Italy and one from Germany.”
Central Lee has hosted at least one exchange student every school year since the mid-60s.
“It is a program that I am proud to say has grown into a wonderful student-led program,” she said.
Along with AFS, she also serves as the sponsor for the Central Lee Student Science Research Club, AKA Science Club. These students design, conduct and present their own science research projects yearly at the local, regional, state, national and international level. Students have been recognized on many levels throughout their history and are known all over the state, nation and country for their hard work and dedication to science research, Schiller said.
“I married my high school sweetheart, Jarrod Holland, on Dec. 27, 2006, on the southern most beach at sunset in Key West, Fla.
He is an electrician for The Hawkeye Group in Mediapolis.
Schiller said her 8 1/2-year- old stepdaughter, Rione, lives in Atlanta, Ga.
“Jarrod and I have a 4-year-old pomeranian named Zander, who does not know that he is a dog.”
Schiller's parents, Ernie and Cherly Schiller, run their business Schiller's Flowers and Foliage, two miles East of Donnellson on Highway 2.
“My mom taught English and music at Harmony Community Schools before leaving education to run our business full time,” she said. “My father retired from teaching biology at Central Lee High School in 2005, and at that time I was hired as his replacement. My sister Amanda Schiller, 28, (soon to be Kite in October 2008), teaches science at Van Buren Middle School in Keosauqua. My baby sister, Arie Schiller, 22, will start her first year of teaching at Keokuk Middle School in seventh grade science this school year. As you can tell, the education of the young people in our area is something that my family truly values.”
What food are you most famous for? My favorite food is pasta with vegetables and parmesan cheese. My favorite snack is grape taffy.
What kind of music do you enjoy? I enjoy all kinds of music, but my favorite is R&B and rap.
What are your hobbies? I love spending time with my husband, Jarrod, and our families. I run about three to four miles each day. I love to read all kinds of books, and I love being outdoors in my garden and landscaping my yard.
Do you have a favorite pet (present or past)? My favorite pet would be our dog Zander. He is a 4-year-old Pomeranian that does not know he is a dog. He is spoiled rotten and is known to my students as “The Puff” because of all of his hair.
Where would you go if you won a trip anywhere in the world and why? Antarctica. It is one of the most beautiful places on the earth and the only continent that no humans technically live on. It is just nature at its best.
What has been life's most rewarding experience for you? Well, professionally it would have to be teaching science. I love the Central Lee School District. The staff is amazing and the students are wonderful. They make me smile and we learn so much from each other.
Personally, it would have to be taking my high school science research project to the International Science and Engineering Fair two times - in 1995 and 1997. That was something that I had always dreamed of doing and set my mind to it. That experience has taught me that I can do anything and reach any goal, as long as I believe in myself.
How many children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren do you have? I have one stepdaughter, Rione, who is 8 1/2, and lives in Atlanta, Ga. I also have a 4-year-old dog (son) named Zander.
What book are you currently reading? “I Know This Much is True” by Wally Lamb. It was recommended to me by several of my high school students. I knew that if they were reading a book with 900 pages and thought it was worth it, then it was one that I needed to read too.
What is your least favorite food? Tomatoes. I love ketchup and salsa, but do not like uncooked tomatoes.
What is your favorite food? As mentioned above, my favorite food is pasta with vegetables and parmesan cheese. My favorite snack is grape taffy.
What makes a perfect summer day and how would you spend it if you could, anyway you wanted? I wake up at 5 a.m. and get my run in for the day, followed by a walk with my dog. Spend some time in my garden watering and weeding. Zander and I head over to my parents business, Schiller's Flowers and Foliage, to help out for the day. Head home to grill supper and spend time with my husband once he gets home from work. We usually watch a bit of TV together, or go and watch my soon to be brother-in-law play one of his weekly softball games. Read my book for a bit before going to bed.
Have a favorite sport to do or watch? I love to run, but I love to watch tennis and stockcar racing on TV.
Most memorable moment? At this point, it would have to be marring my best friend, Jarrod Holland, on the beach at sunset in Key West, Fla.
What do you do for fun? I love to go and watch my soon-to-be brother-in-law, Tyler Kite, 26, play softball. It's competitive, outdoors, and his teams are really good and fun to watch. Plus, it's time that I get to spend with my husband, my sisters, Amanda and Arie, and our dog Zander who is the team's biggest fan.
What do you like most about yourself? I am honest and a super hard worker. I never put anything but my best forward. I love all of my friends and family and will do anything to be the best friend that I can be.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? Since the age of 5, I wanted to study plants, botany, and go to Iowa State University. Little did I know that 19 years later, at the age of 24, I would graduate from Iowa State University with a degree in botany and a 5-12 biology teaching degree.
What do you collect? I collect magnets from all of the places, states, that I visit. I got started with this late in my traveling years, but look forward to going back to all of those places, just to keep my magnet collection growing.
Where would you live if you had a choice? Southern Florida, Alaska or Colorado. I think that I would love anyplace that I lived. I love Iowa and really can not imagine living anywhere else.
What is your favorite TV show and actor/actress? Right now, I really am enjoying various cooking shows, “Hell's Kitchen,” “Top Chef” and “Iron Chef America.” I also really enjoy “The Biggest Looser.” I never miss an episode of these shows.
If you could have dinner with any three people (living or dead)? I would never be able to choose just three people. There are too many people that I love and respect.
What was your favorite subject in school? Botany/biology and mythology.
What was your first job? Working for my parents' at their business, Schiller's Flowers and Foliage. Outside of the family business, I work for my cousin Tara Schiller at Tara's Pub and Pizza in Donnellson.
What was/is your favorite style/piece of clothing? I love jeans. They go with everything.
Best word(s) of advice you've received? “You'll never be able to do that.” Those words set the biggest fire inside of me, and just to prove the person wrong, I went over and above the expectations. Those few words are the reason why I never put anything forward but my very best.
Favorite movie of all time? “The American President,” “A Bug's Life” and “Toy Story.”
What is your favorite ethnic food? Stir fry.
How did you meet your spouse (if married)? I met him through a phone call he made to my sister, as he was dating one of her friends. I answered the phone one day and it was love from that moment on. Okay, not real love as we were seventh and eighth graders. But we were friends after that moment. We did not really get serious until later in our high school and college years. We got engaged in Key West, Fla., in 2005, and got married there a year to the date later.
Person(s) you admire most and why? My parents, Cheryl and Ernie Schiller. They have set high expectations for my sisters and I, and have supported us in everything that we do. They instilled in us a love for nature, education and all regards to the world around us. They taught us to be caring, compassionate and respectful to everyone and everything around us. I know that they are proud of us and all of our accomplishments. I thank them for their love and support. I could and cannot do it without their guidance.
If you had a motto, what would it be? Live each day of your life like it's the last. The glass is always half full not half empty.
What is your most memorable and/or embarrassing food experience? Eating my first lobster on our family vacation to Maine. I have been hooked ever since.
What is your favorite recipe (list directions and ingredients)? Seasoned oyster crackers.
People who would like to be included in an upcoming Accent Page feature should contact the paper by mail at the Daily Gate City, P.O. Box 430, Keokuk, IA 52632; by phone at 524-8300, ext. 106, or by fax at 524-4363.
Seasoned oyster crackers
Ingredients:
1 bag oyster crackers
1/8 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp. dill weed
1/4 tsp. lemon pepper
2/3 C. oil
(I use olive oil)
1 package Hidden Valley Ranch dressing (dry powder)
Directions:
Mix oil and all spices in a bowl.
Add crackers to oil mixture. Mix carefully to cover all crackers.
Pour into a paper bag or a plastic bag lined with paper towels. Leave for several hours.
“I started teaching at Central Lee in the fall of 2004,” she said. “Prior to teaching at Central Lee High School, I taught anatomy/physiology and biology at Ottumwa High School. I have been teaching science for six years.”
She graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor's degree in science, majoring in botany, and a minor in science education.
“Along with being the biology teacher at Central Lee High School, I am also the sponsor for the student AFS (American Field Services) Club, which serves as a network to the exchange students that our high school hosts each year,” she said. “We will host two young ladies during the upcoming school year, one from Italy and one from Germany.”
Central Lee has hosted at least one exchange student every school year since the mid-60s.
“It is a program that I am proud to say has grown into a wonderful student-led program,” she said.
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“I married my high school sweetheart, Jarrod Holland, on Dec. 27, 2006, on the southern most beach at sunset in Key West, Fla.
He is an electrician for The Hawkeye Group in Mediapolis.
Schiller said her 8 1/2-year- old stepdaughter, Rione, lives in Atlanta, Ga.
“Jarrod and I have a 4-year-old pomeranian named Zander, who does not know that he is a dog.”
Schiller's parents, Ernie and Cherly Schiller, run their business Schiller's Flowers and Foliage, two miles East of Donnellson on Highway 2.
“My mom taught English and music at Harmony Community Schools before leaving education to run our business full time,” she said. “My father retired from teaching biology at Central Lee High School in 2005, and at that time I was hired as his replacement. My sister Amanda Schiller, 28, (soon to be Kite in October 2008), teaches science at Van Buren Middle School in Keosauqua. My baby sister, Arie Schiller, 22, will start her first year of teaching at Keokuk Middle School in seventh grade science this school year. As you can tell, the education of the young people in our area is something that my family truly values.”
What food are you most famous for? My favorite food is pasta with vegetables and parmesan cheese. My favorite snack is grape taffy.
What kind of music do you enjoy? I enjoy all kinds of music, but my favorite is R&B and rap.
What are your hobbies? I love spending time with my husband, Jarrod, and our families. I run about three to four miles each day. I love to read all kinds of books, and I love being outdoors in my garden and landscaping my yard.
Do you have a favorite pet (present or past)? My favorite pet would be our dog Zander. He is a 4-year-old Pomeranian that does not know he is a dog. He is spoiled rotten and is known to my students as “The Puff” because of all of his hair.
Where would you go if you won a trip anywhere in the world and why? Antarctica. It is one of the most beautiful places on the earth and the only continent that no humans technically live on. It is just nature at its best.
What has been life's most rewarding experience for you? Well, professionally it would have to be teaching science. I love the Central Lee School District. The staff is amazing and the students are wonderful. They make me smile and we learn so much from each other.
Personally, it would have to be taking my high school science research project to the International Science and Engineering Fair two times - in 1995 and 1997. That was something that I had always dreamed of doing and set my mind to it. That experience has taught me that I can do anything and reach any goal, as long as I believe in myself.
How many children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren do you have? I have one stepdaughter, Rione, who is 8 1/2, and lives in Atlanta, Ga. I also have a 4-year-old dog (son) named Zander.
What book are you currently reading? “I Know This Much is True” by Wally Lamb. It was recommended to me by several of my high school students. I knew that if they were reading a book with 900 pages and thought it was worth it, then it was one that I needed to read too.
What is your least favorite food? Tomatoes. I love ketchup and salsa, but do not like uncooked tomatoes.
What is your favorite food? As mentioned above, my favorite food is pasta with vegetables and parmesan cheese. My favorite snack is grape taffy.
What makes a perfect summer day and how would you spend it if you could, anyway you wanted? I wake up at 5 a.m. and get my run in for the day, followed by a walk with my dog. Spend some time in my garden watering and weeding. Zander and I head over to my parents business, Schiller's Flowers and Foliage, to help out for the day. Head home to grill supper and spend time with my husband once he gets home from work. We usually watch a bit of TV together, or go and watch my soon to be brother-in-law play one of his weekly softball games. Read my book for a bit before going to bed.
Have a favorite sport to do or watch? I love to run, but I love to watch tennis and stockcar racing on TV.
Most memorable moment? At this point, it would have to be marring my best friend, Jarrod Holland, on the beach at sunset in Key West, Fla.
What do you do for fun? I love to go and watch my soon-to-be brother-in-law, Tyler Kite, 26, play softball. It's competitive, outdoors, and his teams are really good and fun to watch. Plus, it's time that I get to spend with my husband, my sisters, Amanda and Arie, and our dog Zander who is the team's biggest fan.
What do you like most about yourself? I am honest and a super hard worker. I never put anything but my best forward. I love all of my friends and family and will do anything to be the best friend that I can be.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? Since the age of 5, I wanted to study plants, botany, and go to Iowa State University. Little did I know that 19 years later, at the age of 24, I would graduate from Iowa State University with a degree in botany and a 5-12 biology teaching degree.
What do you collect? I collect magnets from all of the places, states, that I visit. I got started with this late in my traveling years, but look forward to going back to all of those places, just to keep my magnet collection growing.
Where would you live if you had a choice? Southern Florida, Alaska or Colorado. I think that I would love anyplace that I lived. I love Iowa and really can not imagine living anywhere else.
What is your favorite TV show and actor/actress? Right now, I really am enjoying various cooking shows, “Hell's Kitchen,” “Top Chef” and “Iron Chef America.” I also really enjoy “The Biggest Looser.” I never miss an episode of these shows.
If you could have dinner with any three people (living or dead)? I would never be able to choose just three people. There are too many people that I love and respect.
What was your favorite subject in school? Botany/biology and mythology.
What was your first job? Working for my parents' at their business, Schiller's Flowers and Foliage. Outside of the family business, I work for my cousin Tara Schiller at Tara's Pub and Pizza in Donnellson.
What was/is your favorite style/piece of clothing? I love jeans. They go with everything.
Best word(s) of advice you've received? “You'll never be able to do that.” Those words set the biggest fire inside of me, and just to prove the person wrong, I went over and above the expectations. Those few words are the reason why I never put anything forward but my very best.
Favorite movie of all time? “The American President,” “A Bug's Life” and “Toy Story.”
What is your favorite ethnic food? Stir fry.
How did you meet your spouse (if married)? I met him through a phone call he made to my sister, as he was dating one of her friends. I answered the phone one day and it was love from that moment on. Okay, not real love as we were seventh and eighth graders. But we were friends after that moment. We did not really get serious until later in our high school and college years. We got engaged in Key West, Fla., in 2005, and got married there a year to the date later.
Person(s) you admire most and why? My parents, Cheryl and Ernie Schiller. They have set high expectations for my sisters and I, and have supported us in everything that we do. They instilled in us a love for nature, education and all regards to the world around us. They taught us to be caring, compassionate and respectful to everyone and everything around us. I know that they are proud of us and all of our accomplishments. I thank them for their love and support. I could and cannot do it without their guidance.
If you had a motto, what would it be? Live each day of your life like it's the last. The glass is always half full not half empty.
What is your most memorable and/or embarrassing food experience? Eating my first lobster on our family vacation to Maine. I have been hooked ever since.
What is your favorite recipe (list directions and ingredients)? Seasoned oyster crackers.
People who would like to be included in an upcoming Accent Page feature should contact the paper by mail at the Daily Gate City, P.O. Box 430, Keokuk, IA 52632; by phone at 524-8300, ext. 106, or by fax at 524-4363.
Seasoned oyster crackers
Ingredients:
1 bag oyster crackers
1/8 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp. dill weed
1/4 tsp. lemon pepper
2/3 C. oil
(I use olive oil)
1 package Hidden Valley Ranch dressing (dry powder)
Directions:
Mix oil and all spices in a bowl.
Add crackers to oil mixture. Mix carefully to cover all crackers.
Pour into a paper bag or a plastic bag lined with paper towels. Leave for several hours.
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