My name is Catherine Haslag (pronounced Haus log) and I am excited to have you all in my class this semester. Before introducing yourself to the class, I would like to tell you a little about me. I am from a little town in Missouri called Bonnots Mill. I completed my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry from Missouri State University. After graduating, I worked for about 6 years as an environmental consultant. The work was interesting, but I really missed teaching. I taught several classes while I was in graduate school at Missouri State. I also taught an intro chemistry class at the local community college in Springfield, MO for 4 semesters. I loved teaching and wanted a career change, so in January 2011, I moved to Minnesota and started working at Riverland. I love Minnesota and I enjoy teaching at Riverland. I have a passion for chemistry and education that I hope you will see as you proceed through this course.
I enjoy biking, camping, crocheting, reading, yoga, kayaking, traveling, hiking, writing, photography, and listening to music. I am also a podcast addict. If you are looking for a good podcast, I recommend This American Life, The Memory Palace, Sounds Like a Cult, and Revisionist History. I have traveled to 39 US states and 15 countries. I enjoy visiting our beautiful National Parks. I participated in RAGBRAI twice, and in Fall 2018, I bike-camped the Paul Bunyan Trail from Crow Wing State Park to Lake Bemidji State Park (approximately 120 miles total). In 2016, I was fortunate to give a talk at TedxHoracePark about the importance of the science fair.
Hiking in Badlands National Park, September 2025.
Pequot Lakes, MN – Biking the Paul Bunyan Trail, September 2018.
The Power of a Hypothesis – TEDx talk in 2016
Currently, I am reading Lost in Curiosity by Roberta Kwok, The Great River by Boyce Upholt, and Saint Maybe by Anne Tyler. If you have read any good books, I am open to recommendations.
My cats, Piney (top photo) and Goldie (bottom photo), bring me joy. They bring a sense of playfulness and presence to my life, and they are always in the moment.
When you communicate with me, please call me Catherine or Ms. Haslag, whichever you feel most comfortable using.
My Teaching Philosophy
Chemistry is everywhere and essential to everyone. The study of chemistry can be challenging but also rewarding and fun. As an educator, I aim to help you understand course concepts and develop an appreciation for chemistry in everyday life by providing a fun and student-focused environment.
I believe this class is a journey you are taking to gain knowledge and understanding of chemistry. I am here to set the academic standards and assist you in meeting those standards. I don’t enjoy watching a student fail. I would love to see all my students get an A, but I won’t lower academic standards. I don’t give grades. You earn them.
I understand many of you are timidly entering this course. Please leave your fear and preconceptions about science courses at the door (or login screen, as the case may be), as they will only limit your performance in this course. I strive to provide a safe and comfortable environment for students to learn. Please come with an open mind, ready to learn, and you will be amazed at what you can do.
Everyone is here to learn. Making mistakes is an inherent part of the learning process. Therefore, it is essential to be respectful of everyone to create a comfortable classroom environment and facilitate learning.
