Science teacher with makeshift chemistry lab is forging bonds and changing the lives of students

There are some teachers out there who are genuinely passionate about teaching. Their students learn a lot more than what's in the books, thanks to their unique teaching methods. Jonte Lee is a chemistry and physics teacher from Calvin Coolidge High School in Washington D.C. Lee has been making the learning process fun for his students ever since he transformed the kitchen at his home into a chemistry lab, as per Good Morning America.

Lee also appeared in an episode of "The Kelly Clarkson Show" to demonstrate how he operates his little science lab at home. He has been conducting fascinating science experiments to teach the students chemistry in a simpler and fun way by live streaming them on his social media pages. “The reason why I turned my kitchen into a chemistry lab is for the love of my students,” Lee told the news outlet. He came up with this idea when the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to shut down. But Lee and other teachers like him, came together to help the student continue their lesson from the safety of their homes.

"When you have that great relationship with a student, you can push them forward academically. You are allowed to challenge them and those students rise and meet the challenge," he told ABC News. “I have gotten 100% participation from my students. They complete the work, they ask questions. They don’t just come with their brain – they come with their hearts, their personalities. And that helps form a great student-teacher relationship. If that’s strong, I can push them forward academically." However, he missed the personal interactions with his students during the lockdown period.

“With any teacher, if we cannot see our students and we do not know if they are okay if they’re having a great day, a not-so-great day, did something exciting happen, did something not exciting happen," Lee remarked about virtual learning to GMA. "We do not just educate the child's brain, we educate the whole child." Lee's students sang praises for their beloved teacher as well. One of his students, 15-year-old Aleya, spoke to PEOPLE about being nervous when she started high school during the pandemic. However, Lee made sure to get acquainted with his new students from a distance and even bought them school supplies with his own money.

"He made me feel so comfortable," Aleya told the outlet, adding that he gave all his students $25 in a card for their birthdays. "He opened my mind and he taught me that there are things that I could do and enjoy while being successful," another 15-year-old student named James, revealed. "Your love for the students, your love to educate them, your love to interact with parents, your love to see them grow," Lee further disclosed to PEOPLE. "It just overrides any challenges that I face in this profession."

Ever since then, Lee has been using his interesting and engaging teaching method to educate kids. He also hosts inspirational entrepreneurs and makes references to comic books, music, movies, graphic novels and games to draw the interest of students towards science lessons. The teacher also recalled how chemistry classes during his own school days were "absolutely torturous" and he intends to make the science subject fun and help students feel good about themselves. People can find Lee's educational videos on Facebook, X and Instagram.