The sleek counters of the science lab are lined with Erlenmeyer flasks, beakers and test tubes. Chemicals fill the shelves, ready to be used for a science experiment about acids and bases, kinetics, thermodynamics, chemical reactions and more. Catalyzing both students’ curiosity about the world around them and their desire to experiment, chemistry teacher Andy Klamm has returned to Niles West for the new school year.
Klamm teaches AP and regular chemistry and coaches boys’ and girls’ tennis at Niles North. He previously taught at Niles West for four years and at North for 10 years before switching positions with Michael Boll, former chemistry teacher at Niles West.
As a college student at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill studying chemistry, Klamm didn’t initially intend to become a teacher.
“My mom was a math teacher so I knew about the profession. For that reason, I decided I was not going to go into teaching. But then I did lab work in college. I studied and worked with a professor doing polymer chemistry and I really liked it, but I also knew that I didn’t want to do it for the rest of my life; I knew that tennis [was something] that I loved and the one thing that would allow me to do both chemistry and tennis for the rest of my life was high school teaching,” Klamm said.
Klamm played tennis for most of his life, working at racket clubs every summer of college. After trying his hand at coaching, he decided that he wanted to work at a high school so he could teach chemistry and coach tennis at the same time.
Klamm’s inspiration comes from his mom and his students.
“They’re [my students are] my main motivation. More than that, it’s honoring my mom. She died a couple of years ago of pancreatic cancer and on every hard day when I was going to the hospital and sleeping on the hospital couch with her for a long time and just being with her, I knew that she would be proud if I continued to do what I could do the best that I could,” Klamm said.
One of Klamm’s goals is to make chemistry class an enjoyable subject for his students, regardless of what career path they choose later in life. As such, he strives to integrate an interactive learning approach in the classroom.
“I feel like I talked to so many adults that have a negative response to chemistry; every time I say I teach chemistry they’re like, ‘Oh, I hated that,’ and that’s part of my passion. Not every student’s going to be a chemistry major but if everyone can at least have a good experience and walk out of chemistry and be like, ‘Oh, that was a great class,’ I feel like I did my job,” Klamm said.
Klamm prioritizes building a bond with his students and is motivated by the desire to instill appreciation and curiosity for science in every student.
“I would say it’s a lot of hands-on focus but it’s also giving kids training but then giving kids a lot of time to apply that training on their own time and the less time I can talk and the more time I can spend time working one-on-one with students, the better it is,” Klamm said.
Klamm’s former colleagues enjoyed their time working with him and are glad to see him again. Science teacher Tina Schmidt worked with Klamm at Niles West for four years from 2010 to 2014.
“He’s a super dedicated teacher and just a really great colleague. He loves to collaborate and share ideas and is always working to improve his craft and is looking out for the best interests of his students at all times,” Schmidt said. “It’s really fun to work with him and we’re happy to have him back.”
His teaching has also made a positive impression on his students.
“As one of the only sophomores in AP chemistry, Mr. Klamm made sure that even though I was a little behind because I wasn’t in honors chemistry, I was caught up with everyone. He never makes me feel like I’m not understanding anything. He’ll always explain stuff to me even if I ask a lot of questions and I’m being a little annoying,” sophomore Zainab Nathani said.
Klamm has already created lasting memories this year.
“I was able to offer a review session on a Sunday afternoon for AP Chemistry and didn’t expect much. However, the fact that kids came and got to review, spend time together, and enjoy it—those are the only things that ever matter to me. Memories of conversations, relationships and growing their appreciation for something they may not end up having an undying or unending passion for, but at least for the time together, just being passionate about a common topic, are the memories I always hold with me,” Klamm said.
