Ms. Mertens teaches AP Environmental Science at Berkeley High School and has caught the attention of students, parents and the community through her hands-on approach to exploring nature. When the class was first introduced in 2000, only 20 people signed up. Now, under Mertens' supervision, the one class has grown to three, and the 20 students has grown to almost 140.

Mertens takes students on field trips through diverse ecosystems, to museums, on nature walks, and conducts student participation labs to help the students better understand their environment. “It’s easier to grasp concepts, especially when what we’re studying is actually happening outside,” said senior Arianna Taboadnl.

Other students in her class agree. “She’s really great at explaining complex processes in a simple way so everybody gets it, and she’s also able to pursue stuff in depth if anyone wants to dig deeper into a topic,” says Ishan Mohindroo of his teacher.

Fellow teachers and parents are delighted and amazed at Mertens ability to connect with her students and generate enthusiasm for environmental science. “Frankly, I don’t know how one person can teach so may different classes, coordinate community participation, take advantage of all the University of California has to offer high school students, and then spend her weekends taking these lucky students to all these amazing places that many of them would never get a chance to experience otherwise,” writes a proud parent of her son's teacher.

For her wonderful ability to reach her students, and take them further into the world around them, Ms. Mertens was awarded our November Teacher of the Month Award!