"In the classroom, Joan is an educational leader. She helps her students meet their potential and understand science by giving them opportunities to experiment and conduct interesting lab studies. She understands the need for students to give and formulate their opinions and beliefs in science, prepares intense studies and promotes advanced thinking skills.
Her students value and appreciate the chance she provides them to 'see for themselves' many ideas and scientific concepts. Students who have Mrs. Christen as an instructor leave her classroom with an appreciation of hard work, dedication, and a quest for more knowledge of concepts and procedures dealing with science." Nominator