Teacher is known for snake, recycling

The teacher has been active in recycling.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- Kathy Cattrell takes her pet snake named Viper to school in a picnic basket.
When she pulls the snake out, she said, the students go, "Oooh."
Viper is a local black root snake that Cattrell's had for 13 years.
At 6 1/2 feet long, Viper still has some growing to do. Such snakes grow to be 8 feet long and may live 22 years.
Cattrell, of Columbiana, knows such facts. She's been a biology teacher for 14 years at the Crestview High School.
"I have a lot of fun with the kids. It's things I like to do," Cattrell said.
Recognition
She was recently honored as the Conservation Education Teacher for 2006 by the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation District. The districts are part of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and primarily work on local erosion prevention and water management. Districts are also involved in education projects such as forestry or wildlife field days and teacher conservation workshops.
The Columbiana County commissioners on Wednesday approved a proclamation for her hands-on programs that help students understand and appreciate nature.
Commissioner Sean Logan, who shares Cattrell's interest in the environment and recycling, said, "I can't think of anyone who deserves it more."
Rhonda Simmons, chairwoman of the county's Soil and Water district, nominated Cattrell. Simmons' son, Christopher, just graduated from Crestview. Soon, he will begin studying environmental biology at Clarion University in Clarion, Pa.
"She's the reason" for his choice of majors, Christopher said of Cattrell.
Cattrell said she was always interested in biology. She's starting a new class for juniors and seniors. Half of the program will focus on environmental biology and the second will focus on human anatomy.
But the educator likes to get her students outdoors at least three times a year.
Bull Run
She said she wants to test Bull Run, a stream that enters Beaver Creek State Park, for the number and types of macro invertebrates -- creatures without bones, she explained.
"Certain things can only live in some types of water," Cattrell said.
What is or isn't growing tells her the condition of the stream.
"The water quality in Beaver Creek is very good," she said.
Cattrell is involved with a number of programs ranging from the park's Wildlife Education Center and its large collection of stuffed animals to multischool outings to the Highlandtown Wildlife Area.
The teacher had begun a recycling program when she had lived in West Virginia. She continued it when she moved to this area. In the last 12 years at Crestview, the program has collected 1,116 tons of paper and 4 tons of aluminum.
She's also involved in the annual kids day at the Leetonia Sportsmen's Club, where people can learn about area wildlife.
"I think that's important," Cattrell said.
wilkinson@vindy.com