When we talk about what sets Edge apart from other schools, the conversation always centers on the powerful relationships and community built by our staff. Lee Borzick, Edge’s Earth Science, Biology & Physical Science teacher, is one of those incredible community members. Lee has been at Edge since 2016 and his contributions to our students, most notably with our Sky School class, are immeasurable. Get to know Lee and you’ll see why our teachers are the heart and soul of our tuition-free high school.
Tell us briefly about your background and how that prepared you for your role at Edge.
I grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where you are inescapably immersed in nature and have no choice but to embrace your surroundings and the rugged landscapes that come with being so far north along Lake Superior. At the time, I would groan and grumble when my parents would drag me along on camping, hiking, and snowshoeing trips that either involved being engulfed by monstrously-sized mosquitoes or bitterly cold and snowy conditions. When my family moved to Flagstaff, AZ during my junior year of high school, my primary interests were art, skateboarding, and video games; far from any kind of pursuit toward becoming a science teacher.
It wasn’t until I arrived at the University of Arizona as an undeclared major that I began to reflect on my interests and how those would translate into a career path. Needing guidance as to how I’d navigate the many degree options that were available to me, I decided to take a survey that helps align your personality and interests with a major. To my surprise, the number one result that was generated through the survey was Natural Resource Management with an emphasis in Wildlife Science. After spending some time researching the major and the career options that would become available to me after graduating, I excitedly declared my major and began enrolling in all of the introductory courses that would be required for the degree.
While working on my degree, I developed a strong affinity toward learning about marine biology and herpetology (the study of reptiles and amphibians). I was hired for several undergraduate research positions including studies involving woodpeckers and their relationship with Saguaros, native Arizona fish, and a summer program in Florida surveying sea turtles. I was the president of a club at the university called MACS (Marine Awareness and Conservation Society) and really thought I’d end up in a master’s program in marine science, ultimately pursuing a career in that field. Immediately after graduating, I drove to a small barrier island in Georgia where I would spend the summer studying and surveying for Loggerhead sea turtles. It was while on Little Cumberland Island that my love and passion for doing field research and working with reptiles and amphibians grew.
After numerous other herpetology field positions in Alabama, California, and Arizona, I started to contemplate the value of the experiences I had gained in my scientific studies and decided the next best step would be to pursue a master’s degree in education where I could learn to teach our future generations about environmental science and conservation. As the impacts of climate change, habitat destruction, and reductions in biodiversity loom, there has never been a more important time in history for our youth to be scientifically literate, environmentally conscientious, and equipped with the tools necessary to deal with the harsh realities of our planet’s future.
What do you love about Edge?
Edge High School is completely unique. What I love most about our school is the unwavering commitment that our staff have for our students and the sense of community that we all share together. Our students regularly report to us that they feel heard, seen, and safe at Edge and there’s nothing more important in a young person’s life than that. As soon as you enter through the doors at Edge, you get the sense of feeling welcomed and included. I love how supportive our students are of each other and the perseverance that they consistently demonstrate.
Share a bit about your involvement with Sky School and what it means to students at Edge.
When I first started teaching at Edge, we began taking groups of students each year to Catalina Island, CA where students would learn about marine biology, oceanography and get to go kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking around the island. As amazing as these trips were, there wasn’t a research component that would allow students to systematically investigate questions they developed while collecting hands-on data, ultimately drawing conclusions from their findings. We were eventually introduced to the UA Sky School program at the Mount Lemmon Sky Center where students could take part in a multi-day camp that involved skill-building activities and carrying out their own scientific research projects.
Our first trip to Sky School was a huge success among students and staff and a close relationship quickly developed between the Sky School staff and Edge High School. It has now become a program that is offered twice a year to 20-30 Edge students who participate in an intensive elective course that focuses on the local ecology and climate change of our Sky Island mountain ranges. Students develop a general understanding of the relationships that exist between the local flora and fauna and that gives rise to scientific questions that they build research projects around and carry out data collection and analyses while on Mount Lemmon. To conclude the Sky School class and field trip, students present their projects during a research symposium.
Not only do students learn how to develop inquiry-based projects, use scientific instruments, analyze statistical data, and present their findings, but they also regularly report to us that they leave the mountain having made new friendships and a greater sense of community.
What do you love most about your role at Edge?
What I love most about being a teacher at Edge is that I’m fully supported by our administration and school board to explore new ways to engage our students and to make our science curriculum more culturally and geographically relevant to them. Edge is ever-evolving, and while that means it takes a lot of work, it also means that we’re constantly striving to improve the education and opportunities that we provide our students. I also greatly appreciate how much we are all constantly focused on the mental health and social-emotional learning of our students in each of our classrooms and throughout the rest of the school.
Share a favorite memory of your work at Edge.
It is really difficult to choose only ONE favorite memory from my time at Edge, but collectively, many of my favorite memories come from our Days of Service that we do as a school each year. It has been amazing to see the hard work that our students are capable of and the joy that comes to them when they are giving back to local non-profits within our community. Our students are already so supportive and encouraging of each other, but it’s so cool to see them in the garden at Tucson Village Farm or Native Seeds Search getting their hands dirty and pushing each other to get more done because it’s going to help people in need. Not only are they making a difference, but they’re learning a lot from each of the service projects that they get involved with!
Tell us a bit about you.
My parents were both social workers and I like to think that some of what I learned from them has been ingrained in me and can now be shared with my students. I have an older brother, younger sister, niece, and nephew. I love dogs and immensely enjoy getting outdoors with my yellow lab Lucy. My hobbies and interests include finding and observing wildlife, disc golf, welding, rock and ice climbing.
Thank you, Lee! Your positive impact on our entire community helps make Edge a great place to show up everyday.
If you want the opportunity to learn with teachers like Lee Borzick, our small, tuition-free charter high school is enrolling now. Visit our enrollment page to get started today.
About Edge
EDGE is a Cognia accredited, tuition-free, charter high school, with two campuses in the greater Tucson area. We provide an alternative to traditional education, meeting the diverse learning and life needs of our students with our blended curriculum and flexible morning or afternoon class schedules. Our high-quality, passionate teachers are dedicated to individualized instruction in our small academic classes. Be you. With us. At Edge.