Local Teacher Recognized by Princeton

COURT HOUSE — Princeton University will honor local teacher, Hans Toft at its 2010 commencement June 1.
He was one of four teachers selected for the award from 81 nominations from public and private schools around the state. Each teacher will receive $5,000 as well as $3,000 for his or her school library.
Even though Hans Toft has taught at Cape May County Technical High School for 39 years, principal Michael Adams said the teacher’s “youthful enthusiasm and fresh approach to each teaching day makes it seem like his first.”
Toft began his career at the high school as an instructor of marine and natural sciences. At the time, the school was a traditional shared-time vocational institution, educating mostly special needs and disaffected students. But after the school was restructured as a full-time technical high school in 1994, Toft helped design the three-level class he now teaches.
In his capacity as the school’s natural sciences teacher, Toft works with a cohort of 20 students per grade level for three years, developing a strong relationship with each one while also acting as their adviser.
Adams said Toft’s teaching “reflects the best theoretical practices blended with the real needs of kids,” adding that Toft is a “humble master of the craft whose legacy will live on far beyond his time in the classroom.”
The natural sciences program — which teaches students about a broad range of topics, including animal husbandry, upland and marine ecology, habitat observation and dendrology — affords many opportunities for Toft to utilize dynamic, experiential instruction.
Toft’s hands-on teaching style is evident, for example, in his approach to falconry.
“I put gloves on (the students’) hands, safety glasses on their eyes and show them how to hold their fists properly,” said Toft. “Then I call a red-tail hawk down from a tree to land on their fist. This grabs their attention in a way that Xboxes, television, cell phones and video games cannot. After they have had such a magnificent experience, the true learning can begin.”
Toft earned a bachelor’s degree in science agriculture and natural resources from Rutgers University in 1971, as well as a teaching certificate in marine science and in science and general biology from Rowan University in 1976 and 1991, respectively.
Princeton has honored secondary school teachers since 1959. The University received an anonymous gift from an alumnus to establish the program.
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