Students walk into room 240 to find walls decked out in posters with sayings such as “Wear your goggles!” and “Chemistry is fun,” cabinets filled with beakers and bunsen burners, and a giant periodic table pasted on the wall. This is chemistry teacher Elizabeth Dupont’s room.
When the time came to select a career path, Dupont had to make a decision.
“I hadn’t ever contributed to the family income, so my goal was to find as high-paying of a job as possible; ironic, I know,” said Dupont. “I went to college for engineering. You can make good money with a four year degree in engineering. After my first year, I realized I disliked engineering immensely, but I was required to take a chemistry course as part of the curriculum. I fell in love. I made an impractical decision that I was going to major in chemistry without having any idea what I was going to do with it.”
Once she found her passion for chemistry, she had to find some way to turn that passion into a career. Although chemical engineering was in the cards, there were no universities around that would be convenient, and it was unlikely that there would be any available jobs in the Hampton Roads area. However, a solution soon revealed itself.
“My husband, who is a teacher, suggested that maybe I could be a chemistry teacher, an idea which had honestly never occurred to me,” said Dupont. “We would have summers and holidays off together. The idea of teaching kids chemistry really appealed to me, so I minored in education, and the rest is history!”
With a set career path in place, it was time to take the steps necessary to pursue it.
“Virginia Beach is the only place I applied, and Salem is the school that hired me. This is my 18th year teaching, and they’ve all been here,” said Dupont. “I think my favorite thing about teaching here is the students. As a group, they are quirky and kind. I like the staff as well – everyone [is] welcoming and friendly.”
Students have the same positive feelings towards Dupont as she does towards them.
“She’s interesting and gives good information,” said senior Michael Robinson. “At first, I didn’t think chemistry would be for me, but the majority of the stuff she went over seemed pretty easy to me.”
Junior Nicole Rimbu also enjoys Dupont’s class.
“Yeah, [I enjoy her class],” said Rimbu. “I think I’m just interested in the topic of chemistry, and she’s really passionate about it.”
Teaching chemistry isn’t all Dupont enjoys. She has other passions and hobbies as well.
“I love backpacking,” said Dupont. “I go with my husband whenever we can. I have six grandchildren, two of whom are here in Virginia Beach, just 10 minutes from my house. I get the greatest joy from playing with them, Aiden is five and Lilly is four. I also have a great time hanging out with my daughter, Stephanie – she’s 37, and those are her kids. I can’t forget to mention the love of my life – my anniversary is coming up this month. We’ll be married 43 years.”
In Dupont’s class, students get the opportunity to be immersed in chemistry and get to know more about the fun and friendly teacher. So next time you pass by room 240, don’t be afraid to step in and say hello!
