Richey's teaching style encourages his students to play with toys in class. He also uses magic tricks or sets up an indoor pyrotechnics display. In class, Richey conducts experiments for his students using plastic pop bottles, windup toys and other props. It was while working on a master's degree in parasitic biology that he decided on a teaching career. Like other graduate students, Richey had responsibilities as a teaching assistant.
Teaching is a special responsibility with extraordinary rewards.
Richey's academic path of a B.S. in biology followed by a teacher's certification at the master's degree level is producing more skilled teachers, believes Gregory Bernhardt, dean of the College of Education and Human Services. One of Richey's future goals is to become a science coordinator for elementary schools.