Jason Willis

In your classroom, it's like you're an island unto yourself," said Jason Willis, a science teacher at New Bern High School.

It's a sentiment often heard from newly licensed teachers and one of the main reasons the mentor program has turned out to be so successful.Experienced teachers serve as mentors and act as a sounding board, listening and offering advice as needed.And, the benefits of a mentor relationship are definitely not one-sided.

Besides Clark, they are Christine Riesbeck and Jason Willis, New Bern High School; Sandy Carlaccini, Havelock Elementary; Leela Baggett and Wendy Miller, James W. Smith Elementary; Margie Salter, Roger Bell Elementary; and Vicki Watson, Brinson Memorial Elementary.

New Bern High School science teacher Jason Willis is one such educator.He holds a bachelor's in biochemistry and a master's in science education, credentials that give his words a ring of truth that cannot be stifled.

"Science is designed for competing theories arguing against each other and therefore, it is important for students not to just see one side of any issue," he said.