Mrs. Stiles has faithfully served the SSCA community for 26 years. While her primary role is teaching high school science, she has also been actively involved in a variety of clubs and activities, including Prom, the Green Team, Prefect Council, Cake Decorating, and more. Her husband, Tim, taught upper school history for many years, and their three children—Ashley, Jon, and Brittany—all graduated from SSCA.

Mrs. Stiles, you have a diverse background in both biology and education with a BS in Biology/Pre-Med and a Master's degree in Education. What inspired you to pursue teaching?

Well, it actually all goes back to my high school Chemistry teacher. He was really smart, but the way he taught didn’t always connect with the students. He would often put us into groups to work on assignments, and I ended up being the one who would “reteach” the material to my peers. I loved watching the moment when it clicked for them, and they could finally understand it. That feeling was so satisfying! Even now, I live for those “light bulb” moments when a student grasps a concept they were struggling with.

It’s clear that those moments stuck with you! You teach a variety of science classes. Are there any particular courses you enjoy most?

I really love teaching all of my courses, but if I had to choose, I’d say I have a special passion for Anatomy and Physiology. I’ve always been fascinated by the human body and how it works. I think it’s so important for students to learn about themselves in that way, to understand how their bodies function. The medical labs we do—like taking pulses and blood pressure—are some of my favorite parts of the course. And of course, the dissections! They never get old for me.

I also love teaching AP Biology. It covers such a wide range of topics, and I enjoy the challenge it brings. One of the best parts is the biotechnology labs where we insert a glowing jellyfish gene into bacteria. If we do it right, the bacteria glow! It's so cool to see that work in real-time.

And then there's Chemistry. I love the logic of it—balancing equations, solving the math, and especially the reactions. It’s just so satisfying to watch students get the precision right in their lab work.

It sounds like you really enjoy hands-on learning! You also teach Environmental Science and have a strong passion for the environment. Can you tell us a bit more about that?

Absolutely! Environmental Science has always been a course close to my heart. I’ve taught it at the college level for years, and it’s a subject I feel really passionate about. I’m a firm believer in taking care of God’s creation, and that’s one of the reasons I head up the Green Team here at SSCA. We have a great group of students who are just as committed to sustainability and recycling as I am, and it’s incredibly fulfilling to work alongside them on initiatives like that.

I also love introducing students to a wide range of biology topics, which helps set the foundation for more advanced courses like AP Biology. And wherever possible, I try to integrate forensic labs into our biology lessons. It’s always fun to see students connect what they’re learning to real-world applications.

You have such a dynamic approach to teaching! How do you incorporate spiritual life into your science classes and your interactions with students?

Spiritual life really comes up naturally when you're teaching science, especially in a subject like Anatomy and Physiology. When you start to break down the intricacies of the human body, it’s hard not to be in awe of the design. It’s truly amazing how fearfully and wonderfully we are made. I always encourage my students to ask questions, and they know they can come to me privately for prayer or any kind of support. My goal is to make sure they feel comfortable in bringing their faith into the classroom as well.

That’s really meaningful. You seem to be really engaged with your students. What’s your approach to keeping all of them involved in class?

I think a big part of it is being a very visual teacher. I try to use a lot of videos, animations, and pictures to make difficult concepts easier to grasp. I also love using analogies—sometimes it’s the only way to really understand something like a microscopic process. If I can draw a parallel to something students already know, it makes the concept stick much more easily.

It sounds like you make science not only accessible but also fun! What is it about SSCA that you love the most?

It’s definitely the sense of community. The faculty and students here make SSCA feel like a true family. I love making a difference in my students’ lives, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see them grow, both in their knowledge and in their character. That’s what keeps me coming back every year—it’s not just about teaching science; it’s about helping students grow as individuals and supporting them in every way I can.

Thank you so much for sharing your passion for teaching and for your students. It’s clear you’re making a lasting impact here at SSCA!

Thank you! It’s my pleasure. I feel incredibly blessed to be a part of this school and to have the opportunity to teach such bright, curious students.