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Age: 30

Job title: Teacher of physics as part of the Math, Science and Computer Science magnet

Hometown: Rockville.

Education: Bachelor of Science in physics and applied math from the College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Va.

Family: Wife

Hobby/favorite vacation spot: Sailing in the British Virgin Islands or skiing in the Rocky Mountains

Lesson to live by: Anything worth doing is worth doing well.

James Schafer, physics teacher at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, was named Montgomery County Public Schools Teacher of the Year in April 2010. He was interviewed at Blair High School on Dec. 9, 2010.

Congratulations for being named Montgomery County Teacher of the year for 2010-2011. What do you think makes you an award-winning teacher?

You get to teach good kids. I work in an environment that is supportive and I make it a point to connect with the students. The first day I try to get to know their names and the first week, something about them. I try to weave bits and pieces of what they do into our lessons.

We have two students on the Junior National Kayak Team. I used their experiences of motion and the river flowing as an example of how motions can differ. If you don't take the time to find out about them, you wouldn't be able to do that. It never ceases to amaze me how much they bring to the class.

I try to bring energy and humor into class everyday and try to make it so interesting they can't help but pay attention.

Deep down we are all great scientists because we ask the question "Why?"

Your degrees are in physics and applied mathematics; while you were in college did you also plan to teach?

No.

How did that come about?

All of a sudden I found I had a lot more fun explaining things. This is just a lot of fun. You are always busy; no two days are the same. That can either wear you out or be the challenge.

I did not have a degree in teaching. I was hired as provisionally certified in a critical area of need. I am now Nationally Board Certified; I received certification in 2007. That helps you think about what you do on a daily basis.

You graduated from Rockville High School — which year?

1998.

Do you feel MCPS students have changed much since your high school days?

I'm not sure the students have changed as much as the opportunities they have, which have multiplied exponentially. The Internet allows students to learn more and gives teachers more opportunities too.

Kids are still kids. They don't want to do homework. They ask a lot of silly questions. They come in with a lot of energy. Your job is to harness the energy.

What are you trying to impress on your students — academically and as a life skill?

I really believe in hard work and I want them to learn that if they are willing to work hard they will succeed.

There is a reason to be in school and there is a reason why you are learning. You don't want to gamble that something that isn't important now turns out to be important later.

We talk about how effort is important. Just effort isn't quite right — effective effort. You need to differentiate when you can keep going and you are making headway and when you need to ask for help.

"I don't understand," is an ineffective statement. If you add, "But this is what I tried, can you help me?" — that is a good question.

That is part of what we work on: The difference between what you did and the right way to ask for help.

What do you like best about your job?

I like best the variety in my day. It has not afforded me the opportunity to be stagnant. I like that it is not the same thing day in and day out.

I noticed too that you are involved with the students in a number of extra activities: It's Academic, Final Frontiers and summer enrichment. Can you tell me why you put in so much extra time and effort?

It's Academic, I love it! I did it in high school. Academic competitions are one of the best things for high schools and high school students. It's an opportunity to shine. You get to deal with students who really value learning. It's a chance to say, "I'm a know-it-all and I can prove it."

It speaks to there is importance in everything you do. It asks about all areas of learning — you pay attention to everything.

The TV show is just a small part of academic competition. There are academic competitions beyond that, competitions every week.

Do you have any resolutions, personal or for your students, for 2011?

Pretty much the same: Let all of us be the best: me, the best teacher; you, the best student. Good things are going to happen.

"Voices in Education" is a twice-monthly feature that highlights the men and women who are involved with the education of Montgomery County's children. To suggest someone you would like to see featured e-mail Peggy McEwan at pmcewan@gazette.net.