Mrs. Frizzle and the Magic School Bus was a favorite series for our children growing up in the 90’s. These were the days before the internet took over much of our way of learning about the world and it was nice to be able to sit with an actual book and flip the pages and discover facts in the little word boxes jammed on each page. The best part for us parents was chuckling about how wild and crazy this teacher presented herself to fire up the imagination of our kids.
Well, Mrs. Frizzle lives today – in the form of one of the, shall I say it, “wildest” 8th-grade teachers I know – Noel Allen, a teacher of science and everything nature at Hancock County Middle School in Kiln. I have known this wonderful person for over 10 years now and I have never seen her sad or hear anything but excitement in her voice. She is excited about whatever she is doing, in the classroom, but especially outdoors, with her students, where she prefers to practice her crafts – teaching and inspiring!
As with my preference for celebrating people through the eyes and voices of others that they engage, this story is told from the perspective of the young people she teaches and me, who cannot tell her “no.” Honestly, I am exaggerating a bit, because she has always been hesitant to ask for my help. I will get a text or message about a critter or plant she needs to identify or an animal that she needs to know more about. I do that for many of my nature-loving friends – happily. But because of the kind of teacher she is – passionate, intense, determined (and a half a dozen other adjectives) – I will make room for helping her when opportunity arises.
I do on occasion get asked the question, “Do you know a great teacher that we might be able to engage with?” “Yes, I do!” “But be forewarned – this lady will wear us out!” That is because her mind never rests. Whether contemplating new ways to inspire students at school or new ways to celebrate with her favorite groups, like the Raw Oyster Marching Club or the Mystic Crew of the Seashore (where she was Lady Claiborne in 2023), Noel goes all out. Nothing held back.
“How can we protect the Killdeer nest in the rear parking lot at school, Mark? The kids and I found it when on an outdoor walk and love watching it. It would be terrible if something happened to it. I put a small stick out there so folks would know something is there. It is so well camouflaged, and we talked about how cool that was and watched the adult perform the “broken-wing” act to lead us away from the nest. What do you think?” Answer – “You got this, lady! What do you need me for?”
Well, I am not the only one that things Noel Allen has it in hand – and that she is Mrs. Frizzle in the flesh. Apparently, Noel’s cyber teachers at the school have challenged her students at the end of the last few years to come up with memes to describe their favorite science teacher. The two shown here are some of the best, but they are all spot on! They also reflect the respect that these young people have for a teacher that never rest when it comes to engaging and challenging their minds. She does not give up on these people. She keeps getting in their faces – with whatever expression she can muster.
The cover photo of this story is one I took as a couple of her students were being interviewed by a local television station for last year’s Earth Day activity. Folks, the expression on Noel’s face is that of great pride – that these young people knew what they were being asked about and that “yes” they were listening after all. That is Noel’s payment in full for a job well done.