From the research chemistry lab to the physics classroom- Mr. Bittinger’s teaching path was unorthodox to say the least. With 20+ years at Vestavia, this Honors/AP Physics teacher has a lot to look back on. Read below for more from a conversation with Mr. B.
Tell me about your path to VHHS.
“I’ve been teaching at Vestavia for 26 years, since August of 1999. I’ve never taught anywhere else. I taught chemistry for 20 years and switched over to physics. My degree was not in education; in fact, my degree was in chemistry. I wanted to be a research chemist, but then I realized I hated that. I did like the teaching aspect- I taught classes as part of my graduate program. So I learned I liked teaching, and I went back to get my master's in education. Sometimes you end up in places you don’t expect.”
What are you involved in outside of teaching physics?
“I sponsor the Vestavia Ambassadors. We’ve been doing that since 2013. I also help out with the first and second-year teachers, mentoring them and getting them off to a good start.”
What is your favorite memory at Vestavia?
“Let’s see… in 2003, we played Hoover in basketball. And this was back when the rivalry was a little more “out there” than it is now. Hoover was undefeated, and we were undefeated, and it was a home game. That was just a fun, fun game. I remember, the Hoover buses pulled into our parking lot and the students were lined up outside, screaming at the buses. It was an amazing experience. And we won that game, we beat Hoover. It was a great game. That was the regular season, and then we played them in the playoffs and lost in double overtime that year. It was heartbreaking.
“Do you want me to do one since you’ve been born?”
Yes, sure.
“Since you’ve been born, there really aren’t any good memories [both laughing]. But yeah… nothing really sticks out.”
If you weren’t a teacher, what would you have done?
“When I first went to college, I wanted to be a lawyer. I was on the debate team and I was into all that. But what happens is, when you get into college, you change, and I didn’t like law as much as I thought I did. So I shifted, but that was my original trajectory.”
I don’t think they would have let you yell in the courtroom.
“Yeah, the yelling thing is mostly to keep students awake and paying attention.”
What is your biggest accomplishment?
“Probably when I got my National Board Certification a few years ago. That was a big deal.”
Tell me more about what that means.
“Getting certified by the National Board is one of the highest achievements a teacher can get. There’s actually lots of National Board Certified teachers at this school. It’s kind of like when a doctor gets board certified- it means you’re an expert in your field.”
Last question: what’s one piece of advice you would give to someone taking your class?
“Be smart. Yeah, that helps. Understand that this is supposed to be difficult. Maybe you’ve cruised through your whole educational career, and then you get into classes that are more challenging. Don’t get too frustrated if you have to work harder. It’s important to grow, and make mistakes, a lot of mistakes. Have a good attitude.”
Anything else you’d like to say to Pillar?
“I didn’t even know we had a newspaper. We do?”
Well, yep. It’s more like a newsletter. It’s online.
“We used to have one we handed out. I used to do the Fake News section, it was funny.”
Well, it wouldn’t be fake news to say that speaking with Mr. Bittinger is a treat. The next time you see him in the hall, thank him for his commitment and hard work towards education at Vestavia!
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