After 22 years of teaching, Gretel von Bargen has become a  highly regarded leader and teacher at Skyline where she works to educate juniors and seniors on the course of IB Biology one and two. She has touched many students’ lives by being so influential and supportive as she helps them round out not just as learners but as people, moving onto the next stages of adult life. 

However, von Bargen has not always thought it a possibility for her to be a teacher. 

“I started off as just playing school with stuffed animals, and then in high school my history professor was someone I admired and really wanted to be;”  but to her the job seemed unreachable. 

When von Bargen became a park ranger, she finally pondered the idea of becoming a teacher because of how much she was educating her other colleagues about the environment around them. 

“I found myself really liking the part where I was teaching people,” von Bargen said, “and like being a leader of a group and teaching them.”

The journey of being a teacher began when von Bargen received a degree in biology and a degree in psychology and a masters in science education from the University of Washington. She started in 2001 at Bellevue High School and went on in 2002 to teach at Skyline High School where she continues to work today. Von Bargen became a renowned teacher, not just in the Skyline community but also recognized nationally as an educator. 

She has been the Skyline PTSA teacher of the year twice. She won the city of Sammamish Sammy award for Education once. And in 2013 all of the hard work paid off when she won the  Washington State’s science teacher Presidential Award for excellence in math and science teaching. The Presidential award is a national appreciation for teachers who are dedicated to creating creative and engaging ways of teaching that are focused on the empowerment and success of the next generation. 

Von Bargen has developed authentic lessons that include many interactive methods like videos, music, modeling and labs. “I want my students to be engaged in their learning and to appreciate how inspiring the natural world can be,” said von Bargen, “when I am enthusiastic about teaching, my students are enthusiastic about learning.”

Von Bargen loves teaching because of three things. She enjoys spending time with students in the classroom, building off their fun and usually optimistic personalities as teenagers. She is also obsessed with biology, “I can keep learning about it and I can’t imagine not having biology in my life,” said von Bargen. Lastly, von Bargen finds teaching to be challenging which always has her craving more; each day she’s eager to teach, lead and inspire her students. 

Countless students find von Bargen’s biology class to be a great environment where they are supported and learn new exciting material from everyone.

 “One of my favorite periods of the day is IB Biology,” said senior Emily Fojo, “VB always has a smile on her face and is excited to teach us new material.” 

Even former students still remember her classes and how great they were. 

“VBs constant check-ins and engagement with me and all students truly showed she cared,” said graduate Charlie Goldthwait. “I am truly thankful I was able to learn under her guidance and hope she knows the positive impact she has indented into all of her students lives.” 

Von Bargen sets the standard of what it means to be a role model in today’s world. Being a compassionate teacher who supports her students everyday, leaves a long lasting impact on their lives. Although she did not start out in the classroom, her love for teaching has become an inspiration at Skyline High School.