If you have ever taken college Prep Biology, AP Biology, or Honors Biology, you probably know the dad joke queen, Miss Van Vuren. This is her fourth year teaching and she is involved in the school in many other ways throughout extracurricular activities. She is the advisor for Scrubs club, the Environmental Advocacy club, the Chess Club, and the Kindness Club. 

Miss Van Vuren never really thought she would end up in the teaching field but throughout her life, she realized it was always something she could enjoy.

“As you probably already know, my dad just retired from a long teaching career. Growing up, I saw the impact that he had on students’ lives, and that really stuck with me. Even though I didn’t start out with the intention of becoming a teacher, it was always in the back of my mind. I was so afraid of public speaking as a student that I didn’t think it was something that I could ever do, but as I finished school and worked in other fields, public speaking was something that I did so regularly that it stopped making me nervous,” says Van Vuren.

Since she realized her love for teaching and overcame her fears of public speaking, she then figured out why she enjoyed it so much, her students. She is such a genuine person that actually cares for her students and wants them to succeed. 

“I think my favorite thing about being a teacher is the relationships I form with my students. I love watching them grow and change over the course of their time here at Ripon High,” stated Van Vuren. 

Another aspect that made her decide to become a teacher was her love for biology. Although biology is known to be a difficult subject to teach and even learn, she took on the challenge in hopes to educate others and possibly even help them find the same sort of love she has for biology. 

“I have a degree in Microbiology, and I have always loved the subject. I really enjoy teaching biology at different levels, even though it can be challenging to switch levels of biology repeatedly throughout the day,” said Van Vuren.

As much as she loves teaching and learning, she also has many other things she does and loves outside of school. Outside of the classroom, Van Vuren has a lot of hobbies she takes part in that she enjoys. She likes to learn how to make things like soap and bath products. She also loves to cook, bake, hike and bike in her free time. Ripon High is so lucky to have a special teacher like Miss Van Vuren.