Woodinville chemistry teacher under fire
In March, a Seattle Times photographer caught on film one of Larry Gulberg's now-infamous science experiments at Woodinville High School — a fiery methane explosion.
Since the story and picture were published and Gulberg's science team won a regional competition, the popular teacher has been written up for violating fire codes, charged with a weapons felony, suspended from work for four days and slapped with two letters of reprimand.
As the school year winds down this week, Gulberg is questioning his future in the Northshore School District.
"I've taught for a long time and I know what it takes to teach kids chemistry," he said. "When we have fun, it gets them motivated and it build relationships. But now they're telling me I can't teach the way I've taught for 25 years."
Northshore officials, in letters to Gulberg, assert that he puts students and the school in jeopardy with dangerous experiments and school pranks, and that he routinely ignores demands to comply with district rules.
Gulberg said the district is unfairly punishing him for turning kids on to science with his unconventional teaching style. He contends that he is always safe and in 25 years has never injured a student.
School officials declined to comment about personnel matters, other than to issue a statement from Woodinville Principal Vicki Puckett: "Students and staff are and will always be a priority. We cannot condone any activity that might endanger people's safety. In this case, when the Fire Marshal said there was a problem, it was clear it had to be addressed."
The Woodinville Fire Department also declined comment.
Caught in the middle of the controversy are students and parents, some of whom are concerned their school may lose the teacher they affectionately call "Doc," a man known for arousing excitement about science in his students.
"He's a very enthusiastic teacher and he's got a hook to get kids into science, and sometimes it backfires," said parent Pam Rivard, referring to the picture. "But I know he's got the kids' safety foremost in his mind."
Recent graduate Zack Spencer said he and other students worry that Gulberg "won't be the same Doc because the school won't let him do what he enjoys doing — and what students enjoy and learn from."
After the picture was published, the Woodinville fire marshal inspected Gulberg's classroom and cited the school with three fire-code violations.
Local police were then called to investigate a 3-foot steel pipe with a hole in one end that Gulberg calls a "carbide cannon." He has used it for six years to teach students about balancing chemical equations.
The school district then put him on a four-day leave, with pay. Principal Puckett placed a letter of reprimand in his personnel file, warning that he will be "disciplined if not discharged" if any "repeat misconduct of this type" occurs.
Superintendent Karen Forys also sent a letter to the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction regarding Gulberg's "fiery demonstration" and "dangerous weapon." She stated that she believes he "may lack good moral character, or the personal fitness necessary, or has committed an act of unprofessional conduct."
Gulberg has been placed on leave before for pranks. Last year he and his students ran through another classroom, which resulted in someone pulling the fire alarm and the subsequent evacuation of the school. He also accidentally burned some ceiling tiles in another teacher's room.
Gulberg said he always has pushed the envelope with his experiments to engage students and to have fun. He said he is angry that the school is questioning his teaching style.
He said he wants to stay at Woodinville High, which he helped to open in 1983, but he is looking for jobs in other districts. He wants to be where administrators support his style of teaching.
"I have two more years before I retire and I'd love to stay here," he said. "I love my job and these kids. But these letters and what has happened are indictments of my 25-year teaching style."
Parents and students said Woodinville High School won't be the same if Gulberg leaves.
Robert Spencer, who has worked with Gulberg in his elder son's science clubs for three years, said he thinks "the world of" Gulberg. His younger son, who will be a sophomore, was accepted into the accelerated chemistry program that Gulberg is supposed to teach next year.
"Part of the reason he's so excited to start is because his older brother has been telling him Larry Gulberg stories for three years," said Spencer.
Colleen Pohlig: 206-515-5655 or cpohlig@seattletimes.com.