Following in his father’s footsteps, Scappoose High’s Kevin Pinkstaff enjoys keeping his students engaged, whether that’s inside or outside the classroom.
Pinkstaff teaches chemistry, physical science and physics and has been teaching at the school since fall 2011.
Pinkstaff, who currently lives in the St. Johns area of Portland, was inspired to get into teaching at an early age.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Scappoose High’s Kevin Pinkstaff enjoys keeping his students engaged, whether that’s inside or outside the classroom.
Pinkstaff, who lives in the St. Johns area of Portland, teaches chemistry, physical science, and physics and has taught at the school since the fall of 2011. He said he was inspired to get into teaching at an early age.
“Growing up, my dad was a high school science teacher in Rainier,” Pinkstaff said. “I was around the high school a lot growing up.”
Pinkstaff observed functions performed by educators, including chaperoning dances and manning concession stands to raise funds for school events, which helped inspire him to pursue a career in education.
“I think any young adult wants to blaze their own path in life,” he said. “At the end of high school, I knew that I enjoyed science, and when I went to Portland State University for college, I decided I wanted to study engineering because engineers apply science to solve real-world problems.”
But Pinkstaff eventually veered toward becoming a high school science teacher.
“That turned out to be a really good choice,” Pinkstaff said. “My dad really enjoyed being an educator and being an effective educator with his enthusiasm for science. He enjoys building relationships with his students, and I think I have a desire to do all those things, as well … I’ve been really happy with it.”
At Scappoose High School, Pinkstaff likes students to get out in the field and learn the basics of his curriculum.
“I definitely try to get them interacting,” he said. “I think science is something you do rather than just read about.”
As an example, Pinkstaff said, “In describing motion … We go outside on the field, and we manipulate speed, distance and time. We can go out and walk at different speeds and for different distances or different amounts of time, and we can see the effect it has on those other variables. They could have learned that by reading a book, but by them going and doing it, they can actually see those things.”
Projects are an essential learning tool for Pinkstaff, who remembers projects as one of the most interesting parts of his student experience. Consequently, he tries to incorporate projects into his high school teaching as much as possible.
“I prefer the high school age group,” he said. “I really enjoy teaching upperclassmen. Their maturity level is a little higher, sometimes. Sometimes, senioritis sets in, and that’s a different challenge.”
Pinkstaff added, “On the flip side, the ninth graders, which I still teach a little bit of, are maybe a little less mature, but they also have a lot of energy, and that’s something I really enjoy as well. I think the balance I have now with teaching freshmen and upperclassmen a little bit more is really good.”
Pinkstaff says that his wife, who works at Scappoose High School, inspired him in his teachings.
“My wife Aarin has been a school counselor since 2015,” he said. “Having her perspective, especially since she’s been in the same school as me, has helped me gain a broader view of things, and it probably helps me have a little more understanding and empathy for the students.”
Pinkstaff added, “Scappoose High School is a great place to teach. Overall, I feel like we’ve got good kids … Even the students who struggle academically, you can always find something to like in them and connect with them on, if you take the time to get to know them.”
“Growing up, my dad was a high school science teacher in Rainier,” Pinkstaff said. “I was around the high school a lot growing up.”
Pinkstaff observed functions performed by educators, including chaperoning dances and manning concession stands to raise funds for school events, which helped inspire him to pursue a career in education.
