Teaching high school anatomy: What's it like?

I'm interested in teaching high school anatomy or physiology one day. Does anyone here have experience with these subjects? How does teaching anatomy in high school differ from other science subjects?

Teaching high school anatomy can be a rewarding and challenging experience. This kind of course necessitates a more in-depth exploration of body structure and function than other high school science subjects might, making it a unique field to teach.

For starters, anatomy is more specialized than broader courses such as biology or chemistry. It zeros in on the function and structure of different body parts - from the tiniest cells to entire body systems. This means that the subject matter can get quite complicated and detailed. As a teacher, you'll need a strong foundation in the subject and the ability to break down complex ideas into understandable concepts for your students.

That said, lessons in anatomy can be made engaging as it deals with real, tangible parts of ourselves. Activities like dissections, model-building of body systems or even virtual/online simulations if resources are limited, can provide hands-on learning experiences that make the subject come alive for students.

However, teaching anatomy also involves careful planning and organization. You need to have clear learning goals while structuring your course because of the linear progression of the subject matter - understanding one topic often depends on understanding the one before it.

Moreover, you should be prepared for a variety of questions from students, given that the topic can naturally lead to discussions about health, disease, and human development. So, keeping abreast of current medical findings and research could contribute to more enriching class discussions.

Despite these challenges, many educators find teaching anatomy extremely fulfilling. The course imparts crucial foundational knowledge for any student interested in entering a health or medical field and getting the opportunity to inspire and guide these budding professionals can be pretty special.