VALLEY VIEW, Pa. — Pam Ulicny, a biology teacher at Tri-Valley Junior Senior High School, says the creatures that live in her classroom are more than just pets; they are also her classroom aides.
"Monty is one of my longest-living classroom residents. He's been with me for almost my whole entire career," she said.
Monty the snake has been helping her teach biology for more than 30 years.
"He's taught generations of students and thousands of reptile show participants that snakes really aren't all they're cut out to be," Ulicny added.
Her method is helping students get over their fears of reptiles and amphibians and also making science more accessible to her students.
"I'm a biology teacher; I teach the science of life, and what better way than to have living animals in the classroom," she explained.
However, the living classroom is soon coming to a close. Ulicny is retiring at the end of this school year. She's currently on the hunt to help find these animals new homes, and her students are a big help.
"I really want to take this guy home. He's like my favorite," said Leah Purcell, a senior at Tri-Valley.
She already has a whole farm at home, but she wants to take home Mickey the turtle.
Purcell says her teacher has taught her more than how to take care of a reptile, but to appreciate all life.
"It teaches you respect and stuff, and some people may not understand that until they get into this class and see how hard it is to actually take care of all these animals," Purcell mentioned.
Pam Ulicny says some of her animals, like Monty the snake, will stay with her.
After retiring, she plans to travel, putting on reptile shows for other students across the state.