The discovery labs at the EMS ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÉç Administration Building and Discovery Lab Learning Center are two of the most innovative science spaces in the school district.
Now, they will honor two longtime EMS ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÉç science teachers whose impact on students across decades in the district is immeasurable.
The EMS ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÉç Board of Trustees voted unanimously at their meeting on August 28, 2023, to name the discovery labs after Jane Weaver and David Prince.
Jane Weaver began working for ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÉç in 1988 as a science teacher at Gililland Elementary School, where she served until her retirement in 2013. Weaver was a strong proponent of the outdoor classroom with her Prairie Project at Gililland. She often would walk her students over to open prairie land in Blue Mound to bring her science lessons to life in real-world environments.
"Jane was a passionate educator who loved inspiring her students to learn about the natural world," said Dr. Marilyn Tolbert, board vice president and naming committee chair. "She was also a tireless advocate for her students, always going the extra mile to make sure they had the resources they needed to succeed."
David Prince began working for ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÉç in 1980 as a sixth-grade science teacher at Wayside Middle School. During his tenure, he has served generations of students in sixth, fourth and fifth grades. Now in his 44th year of teaching science in EMS ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÉç, Prince is often associated with the sixth grade, weeklong trip to Camp Goddard in Oklahoma. He was one of the original teachers to take students to the science camp in 1983 and has remained passionately involved with the Camp Goddard trip ever since.
"David is a dedicated educator who has a deep love of science," Tolbert said. "He is also a gifted teacher who has a knack for making science fun and engaging for his 
students."
The Discovery Lab Learning Center is a state-of-the-art facility that provides students with the opportunity to learn about science through hands-on experiences. The labs open out to Marine Creek, Marine Creek Lake, and surrounding woodlands and prairies. Students can explore this natural area and bring their scientific samples back to the discovery labs for further analysis.
"The Discovery Labs are a wonderful resource for our students," said Dr. Jim F. Chadwell, EMS ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÉç Superintendent. "Naming them after Jane Weaver and David Prince is a fitting way to honor their dedication to education in EMS ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÉç and their passion for science."
A naming ceremony will take place this fall at the EMS ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÉç Administration Building and Discovery Lab Learning Center to formally recognize the Jane Weaver Discovery Lab and the David Prince Discovery Lab and celebrate these two incredible teachers.
About Jane Weaver
Jane Weaver began working for ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÉç in 1988 as a science teacher at L.A. Gililland Elementary School, where she served until her retirement in 2013. Weaver was a strong proponent of the outdoor classroom with her Prairie Project at Gililland. She often would walk her students over to open prairie land in Blue Mound to bring her science lessons to life in real-world environments.
While science was her passion, her heart was for the well-being of her students. She was known for making strong connections with her students and their families and would make sure her students’ needs were met outside the classroom so they could focus on learning. She also collected a variety of miscellaneous objects, so she always had just what she needed to conduct her science lessons.
Her engaging teaching style, coupled with her care and concern for her students and their families, created the conditions for even the most struggling students to find success in her science classes. Science scores rose significantly and parent engagement increased during her 25-year tenure. Through her passion for teaching and love for helping children succeed, Weaver had a significant impact on the lives of many EMS ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÉç students.
About David Prince
David Prince began working for ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÉç in 1980 as a sixth-grade science teacher at Wayside Middle School. During his tenure, he has served generations of students in sixth, fourth and fifth grades. Prince is now in his 44th year of teaching science in EMS ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÉç.
The names David Prince and Camp Goddard are synonymous throughout the District and community. He was one of seven teachers who made the inaugural weeklong trip with sixth-grade students to the outdoor science camp in Sulpher, Oklahoma, in 1983. He continues to take students each year and supports other teachers from middle schools around EMS ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÉç. Prince was on the original curriculum writing team for the Camp Goddard experience and has continued to rewrite and update the curriculum to align with new standards and expectations for students today.
Prince loves teaching, but his passion is people, especially his students, and it shows in the way he teaches, prepares lessons, builds relationships, and supports his middle schoolers in and out of the classroom. Even in year 44, he continues to evaluate and look for ways to be better for his students, his campus and his district. He’s a servant leader who gives his time, energy and love to do whatever it takes for the betterment of his students. He comes back year after year to care for, invest in, and positively impact the lives of children in EMS ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÉç.