Open Source; Collaborative Education
Project Statement
Welcome teachers, students, and parents, my name is Nathaniel Orlowski. I started my teaching career in 2020, and from the start I have run into a problem. The best kept secrets to teaching are tucked away in seemingly unknown websites, forums, and blogs on the internet. I was only introduced to my AP Biology curriculum by word of mouth and digging from my mentor teacher. Why?
Unfortunately, the answer seems to be that there isn't a platform that we as teachers can universally go to for sharing our curriculums. Websites like Teachers Pay Teachers DIS-incentivize use of materials by putting them behind a paywall. But I do understand, you put time, effort, and out of work hours into those materials, you do have the right to be paid for that work.
But! I want to start a trend. Where teachers choose to openly share their resources, for free, for nothing other than the benefit of other teachers and students. It's not a choice of which is better than the other, merely just a choice, and I hope you join me in making it.
So, anything on this website is free to use, do whatever you like with it! And if you want to share your work/curriculum just let me know. As long as it's all in a google drive folder, I'm happy to host it for the world.
About me
My name is Nathaniel Orlowski!
I graduated from the University at Buffalo with my Master's in Biology Education 7-12 in May 2021, and I was immediately excited to craft lessons and units of my own, ones that would bridge the gap between truly exciting my students, and still allowing them to reach the goals of assessment set by state standards.
I had some unique classes and professors in my program who showed me the possibilities that exist for creating meaningfully engaging classrooms for students, and I was hooked on making those lessons a reality. My first year of teaching might sound familiar; a lot of anxiety about planning, not knowing what to use, and resources not being specific enough. But I've had the privilege of some wonderful support around me, and I want to pass that advantage along.
I see a need for education in the U.S. to become a more collaborative effort, and I personally viewed the locking down of content behind paywalls to be discouraging. This website is entirely my own, and anything on here I have reviewed and put my own stamp of approval on. That may not mean much now, but hopefully it can act as a guide for teachers who see it's value. For now, use anything here to your liking!