"For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated with the human body: the beauty of it, the complexity, the potential and its amazing design. It never ceases to amaze me how each individual system works so intricately...how all the body systems work together to make the body function so perfectly well, as the well-oiled machine that it is."
— Janny Klein, Sessional Instructor of Biology
Janny Klein is deeply passionate about Human Anatomy and Physiology, and about sharing her knowledge with others. Her passions for biology and for education have motivated her 20-plus years of teaching at TWU.
This month, TWU especially honours its women educators, ahead of the UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science (February 11). Science and gender equality are part of the goals for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Currently, around the world, less than 30 per cent of researchers are women.
Professor Klein was born in the Netherlands. She graduated with honours from the International University in Wageningen, with a master’s degree in Nutrition and the Physiology of the Human Body.
After moving to Canada in 1995, she began teaching as a part-time lab instructor for the course, Anatomy and Physiology, at TWU. She continues to teach the course today, now as the senior lab instructor.
In the following interview, professor Klein talks about her passion for science and teaching.
Hi, professor Klein. What inspired your passion for Human Anatomy and Physiology?
For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated with the human body: the beauty of it, the complexity, the potential and its amazing design. It never ceases to amaze me how each individual system works so intricately and beautifully, carrying out its own specific function, and at the same time, how all the body systems work together to make the body function so perfectly well, as the well-oiled machine that it is.
Over the years, my passion for the body has only grown, as more and more, I am inspired in a spiritual way by the way we were created, in God’s image. Not meaning that we look like God, as the Bible clearly tells us that He is a Spirit, but in a way that He reveals Himself to us, in the way that He made us. He has left, as it were, His fingerprints on our bodies, and every system really teaches us something different about Him. About Who He is and Who He wants to be for us: in His character, as our Creator, our Protector, our Saviour, as Lord of our life, and as our guide in and through life.
In what ways does your field of specialization benefit the world?
As the majority of my students eventually go on to work in health care, I hope that they would be able to apply their understanding and knowledge of the body in their own field of expertise. I also hope that they would value each person as unique and beautiful, created in the image of God, and so posessing exceptional intrinsic value.
And, if a student took Anatomy and Physiology (with me) but will not end up working in a field related to the health care system, I hope that they would still apply what they learned in A&P in their everyday personal life. Since you have your body with you till the day you die, it does not hurt to know a little more about it, understand it a bit better, and to know how to care for it well!
After all, doesn’t the benefit to the world start with oneself?
What led you to come teach at TWU, and what are some of the highlights of teaching in this community?
I came to TWU almost 26 years ago, as I applied for a research position at the School of Human Kinetics. However, I ended up in the Biology department as a lab instructor, teaching Human Anatomy and Physiology, and I never left! I have been teaching the labs in different capacities throughout the last many years.
Some of the highlights of teaching in the community are the new students I get to meet each year. What a privilege to be a part of their life for those few hours a week over (often) two semesters. Some you get to know a bit better than others, but each student has his or her own story, goals and ambitions. And to be able to teach A&P from a Christian perspective has so much additional value for life in general, no matter where one is in life and no matter where one will end up. It definitely is a highlight when a student is able to share how God and His truth have impacted his or her life personally.
Other highlights include, when a student at first doesn’t think all too much of a particular subject, dissection or activity, and then by the end of class, they seem to walk out a different person: excited and amazed at what they just learned, saw, and/or experienced! One activity, for example, is to elicit and see one’s own reflexes. In a way, it's so simple; but how fun to hear the many excited "Oh!"’s and "Yeah!"’s over that. Another interesting activity, is to make bone markings come to life as students point out and learn the names for all those "bumps" and bony projections on the body. Another great moment, is to actually see students thoroughly enjoy a dissection, and to be right into it (literally!) after at first being so apprehensive about it, and barely wanting to touch it.
More highlights would be the many times that I got to experience the beauty and immense value of working together with Christian colleagues. The blessing of the encouragement, the unity in purpose, and being inspired by them.
What words of encouragement do you have for students this semester?
Look to God’s Word for guidance for your everyday life. Read the Bible daily; it truly is the manual to go with your body. Learn how to work it, how to use it and how to live life with the best possible outcome, personal as well as in relationship to others. For your good and ultimately for His Glory. In all of life’s joys, and through all of life’s challenges. His Word is not a kill-joy to make your life more difficult with rules—far from it. In the end, there are not many guarantees in life—they say only death and taxes are guaranteed—but there is one additional guarantee that I dare to add, and that is that God will not disappoint you. Give Him a chance, give Him your time, even just a few minutes a day. Love his Word, dare to apply it, and love Him in the process. He will not disappoint you.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students to establish meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. It is a fully accredited research institution offering liberal arts and sciences, as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has four campuses and locations: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, and Ottawa. TWU emphasizes academic excellence, research, and student engagement in a vital faith community committed to forming leaders to have a transformational impact on culture. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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