Jesse James' Teacher Page - Chapel Hill High School

Welcome to Mr. James' Webpage!

About Me

This is my first year teaching Biology and Anatomy & Physiology at Chapel Hill HS. I have previously taught at The University of Texas at Tyler as a graduate teaching assistant and also currently teach at Tyler Junior College. I received my BS in Biology from UTT and am currenlty in the process of finishing up my MS in Biology at UTT. I was born and raised in Tyler and attended high school at John Tyler and Robert E. Lee, from which I graduated. My wife, whom I met in college as her chemistry tutor, is currently in her fourth year teaching 5th grade math at Kissam Intermediate. After teaching freshman in college I wanted to teach high school because I feel that kids who graduate are not prepared for college and many show no interest in going into harder majors such as science and math. Areas in which America is starting to lose the advantage it once had in the world, as more technical jobs are moving overseas.

I am hoping to make a difference in some of my students and push them into attending college and hopefully making science interesting enough that some of them are steered into majoring in science or science related fields. The majority of students I teach are freshman and I hope to not only teach them about the living world around them but to help mold them into mature responsible young adults who can make a difference in our society, because I feel responsibility and accountability are characteristsics that are lacking today. I also want to teach my students how to study and be successful not only through high school and on the TAKS test but at the next level, which I think every kid can achieve.

Some of my hobbies include wildlife photography, camping, hiking, concerts, sports, playing with our dog & cat, and traveling across our great state. In addition to our dog and 2 cats we also have 2 Bearded Dragons, a Ball Python, a Bull Snake, and a Rat Snake. My favorite teams are the University of Texas Longhorns, Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, and San Antonio Spurs. My friends and I also participate in the City of Tyler softball league.

Contact Information

Conference Period: 3rd, 9:40-10:25

email: jamesj@chapelhillisd.org

If you would like to schedule a conference or would like to ask me any questions the best way to contact me is through the school email.

Classroom Activities

I HOPE EVERYONE HAD A GREAT CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR! I HOPE EVERYONE IS WELL RESTED AND READY TO FINISH UP THE SIX WEEKS.

FOR ALL CLASSES:

TUTORIALS EVERY MONDAY FROM 3:30-4:30

FOR BIOLOGY I:

Great job on the benchmark. I am very proud of all my students.

We will be starting classification of the 6 kingdoms of living things and plant systems.

Midterms are next week, I will have more information on these throughout the week including exemptions.

FOR A&P:

We will start on the skeletal system.

Midterms are next week, I will have more information on these throughout the week including exemptions. .

FOR A&P DUAL CREDIT:

We will continue studying the integumentary system as well as the skeletal system.

Course Descriptions

Biology I (0310)
Grade: 9 Length: 2 semesters Credit: 1 credit per year GPA weight: 1.0
This course emphasizes:

the scientific process laboratory activities
the chemistry of life
genetics, evolution, and ecology
structure and function of the cell
biological classification and diversity
plant and animal anatomy and physiology

Grading for this course:

Tests will account for 60% of the course grade and daily assignments will account for 40% of the course grade.

Anatomy & Physiology (0370)
Grades: 10-12 Length: 2 semesters Credit: 1 credit per year GPA weight: 1.0
Prerequisite: Biology I

Note: This course is part of a coherent sequence of courses in Health, Science, and Technology and is a required prerequisite prior to enrolling in Health Science Technology III (Emergency Medical Technician course).

This course emphasizes:

the essential facts of human anatomy and physiology and basic biomechanics as they pertain to physical activity
investigative techniques and laboratory opportunities will focus on essential information of the structures and functions of the human body's various systems relating to the maintenance of homeostasis due to the physiological effect and forces placed upon the body

Grading for this course:

Tests will account for 60% of the course grade and daily assignments will account for 40% of the course grade.

Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology BIOL 2404 (Dual Credit)

Grades: 12 Length: 2 semesters Credit: 4 hrs at Tyler Junior College

Note: This course is a dual credit course that students can take and receive credit at Chapel Hill HS and Tyler Junior College. The students will receive credit for Introdroduction to Anatomy & Physiology (BIOL 2404) at Tyler Junior College, a prerequisite for Anatomy & Physiology I at Tyler Junior College. This course allows students, who may be interested in pursuing careers in nursing, dental hygeine, and allied health science disciplines, to directly enroll in Anatomy & Physiology I at TJC, a course required for most of these programs at TJC.

This course emphasizes:

the structure and function of the human body including chemistry, cell structure & function, tissues, organs, organ systems, homeostasis, and disease.

Grading for the course:

This course is divided into 2 portions a lecture portion and a laboratory portion. The lecture portion will count for 50% of the course grade and will be determined by averaging four examinations. The labatory grade will count for 30% of the course grade, with weekly quizzes accounting for 50% of the lab grade, a midterm lab practical exam accounting for 25% of the lab grade, and the remaining 25% being accounted for by a final lab practical exam. The remaining 20% of the course grade comes from a course final examination.

Lecture = 50%

Laboratory = 30% (50% quizzes, 25% midterm practical exam, 25% final practical exam)

Final Exam = 20%