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Wilma M. Schields, 97, of Nova Scotia and North Creek, New York, formerly of Scituate, a former teacher in Quincy, died on October 2, 2005, after a brief illness.

Ms. Schields was a biology teacher for 42 years at North Quincy High School, retiring in 1984.  She also served as head of the Science Department from 1958 until she retired.  She was the Chairwoman of the Science Fair and Advisor to the Science Club at the School.

Ms. Schields was awarded Outstanding Biology Teacher of the Year awards for Massachusetts and New England in 1962.  She also won the Outstanding Science Educator Award in 1978 and was inducted into the Massachusetts Hall of Fame for Science Education in 1994.

She enjoyed bird-watching, wildlife and cooking and entertaining for family and friends.

Wilma M. Schields was once described in a newspaper profile as a "pedagogical dynamo.

"She was very big on marine biology," her nephew, George Baker of Scituate, said yesterday. "She kept a salt water tank in her classroom and had her students stock it."

Ms. Schields led student expeditions to museums, bird sanctuaries, beaches, and ponds and was always ready to embark on an adventure.

She is survived by a sister, Leona Baker of North Creek, New York, two nephews, four grandnieces one grandnephew and nine great-grandnieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held for Ms. Shields in the North Quincy High School auditorium on November 20.