CHS biology class: Colfax vet Becky Elfers teaches as volunteer

Long-time Colfax veterinarian Becky Elfers comes to life as she talks about the biology class she teaches at the Colfax school.

“I got this idea science could be so much more exciting doing it hands on,” she said, smiling.

She detailed how her class dissected pig hearts, worms, frogs, fish and rats.

Elfers spent the last nine months volunteering to teach an elective biology class for Colfax juniors and seniors.

A small animals veterinarian in Colfax since 1983, Elfers decided to go back to WSU for a teaching certificate in 2006. The one-year certificate allows her to teach elective biology in public schools.

After substituting around Pullman and Colfax for three years, she developed a desire to have her own classroom and asked the Colfax district about volunteering.

“I’m not doing it for money. I’m doing it because I love it,” Elfers said.

Around the classroom on the second floor of the Colfax High School, posters depict the different things students are learning. One poster features dog and cat parasites. Elfers said her work as a veterinarian and the science behind that field backs up her biology teaching to the students.

The class is covering reproduction now. Elfers said she enjoys watching students pick an aspect of a subject and really delve into what interests them. For example, one student is studying birth defects while another is looking into infants who suffer strokes.

“I love the fact they take what they are interested in and look into it,” she said.

Colfax Principal Gary Weitz presented Elfers with a plaque of appreciation for her volunteer time May 19 at a school award ceremony.

“The woman’s got 27 years in veterinary medicine. How do you turn that down?” he said.

Weitz said Elfers was a well-rounded teacher; she is not only kind and accessible to students, but she is also good at teaching.

“I wanted that selfless contribution recognized,” he said.

Elfers is married to Brian Elfers, a pilot. They have two children.