(IN LOVING MEMORY) Perched on the log of her enclosure is one of the Zoology class’s beloved class pets, Roz. She was a bearded dragon and a critter here at Mater Dei. Since the writing and publication of this article, Roz passed due to an unfortunate infection in March. She will be dearly missed.

In an effort to create a more engaging and dynamic learning environment, some school classrooms have introduced class pets as a way for students to cope with the anxieties of school. Pets are a wonderful addition to anyone’s life. At Mater Dei, there are three class pets located right in the Zoology classroom. 

Science Teacher Kristeen Stolo teaches both Honors Biology and Zoology at Mater Dei for ten years. Throughout her years at Mater Dei, she has been in charge of housing these class pets. There is a bearded dragon named Roz, a ball python named Zorro, and the oldest pet, a red-eared turtle named Mario. The pets were named by the wonderful staff and teachers on campus.

“Mario was named years ago by Mr. Wendland’s class, Roz and Zorro were named by Mrs. Gomez,” Stolo said. “Roz has a DNA pattern on her back which reminded her of Rosaland Franklin, one of the scientists who discovered the structure of DNA.”

Originally, there was only Mario, the red-eared turtle. Then in 2023 Roz and Zorro were introduced. Class pets are known to bring up engagement in the classroom and lighten the mood, an idea that Stolo learned more about at a recent teachers conference speaking of the benefits of pets in class.

“We were inspired by a professional development conference that highlighted the benefits of having pets in the classroom,” Stolo said.

Senior Savannah Montoya, a former student of Ms. Stolo, has experienced the benefits of class pets in class with her direct interaction with them and would have to agree.

“I worked better with the class pets because I was more excited and active and surprisingly attentive,” Montoya said. “The work mood with class pets in the classroom allows the class to truly bond and be able to share fun memories so the mood was always present and engaged.”

Montoya’s experience in a classroom with a class pet compared to one without is indicative of the differences in educational environments. Class pets are known to help with engagement and making memorable experiences 

“A class with a class pet compared to a class without one has a big difference in my opinion,” Montoya said. “In Zoology with Mario and the other animals, our class was bonded and engaged in learning. The class was fun all around, but I think having a class pet to look forward to, added to these values.”

Both Stolo and Montoya have agreed that out of all the pets, Mario is their favorite due to his animated personality and his willingness to engage with other students interested in his tank.

”Mario the turtle [is my favorite]. He is very excited when we come into the classroom,” Stolo said. 

The pets here at Mater Dei reside in the classroom for a specific reason. When it comes to teaching kids and the stress of grading your assignment there’s a reason the class pets are reptiles with their easy nature and simple care process. It allows them to live carefree without constant attention in the classroom.

“Reptiles are very easy to care for and they can be left over the weekend without the need of having to eat every day,” Stolo said. “Roz eats salad and a variety of worms, Mario eats pellets, and Zorro eats thawed rats once a week. 

They are so easy to care for she would even recommend them to students as house pets.

”They are very easy to care for, especially Roz. Mario needs water changes and a good filter. Zorro doesn’t come out much and he eats rats so that might be hard for some but he is very neat!” Stolo said.

Other kinds of “pets” have been brought into Mater Dei’s classroom environment as well, in the form of plush stuffed animals. Classrooms like Student Publications, Room 204 have a few class plush-pets of their own that are able to help secure a sense of calmness and stability during rushed deadliness. An opportunity to lean into a stuffed friend while working on publication deadlines has been able to help students focus more easily, and provide an overall more productive working environment, especially during late nights. A stuffed blue and purple tie-dye, cotton candy frog was introduced to the Student Publications classroom in the 2023 school year. She was named Calliope after the mythological Greek muse of writing.

Junior Charlotte De Leon speaks on her own experience with the 204 stuffed animals and how they have been able to assist her many hours in the classroom. 

“The 204 pets are cute and creative “class mascots” for publications,” De Leon said. “Whenever someone is feeling stressed or sad, we can hug Calliope and it makes us feel better. She smells like cotton candy too, which is also very nice and comforting.“I wish more classrooms had pets because they help add to the community dynamic of the classroom and put a smile on everyone’s faces.”

Class pets living or fake have changed the classrooms inhabiting them and most students could agree that the pets in class have left lasting memories in their scholastic lives. Mario, Roz, and Zorro, and alternative engaging pets, have made the class environment more engaging and interesting and have become an incredible part of the Mater Dei campus.