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Angela Cardono Cunard Thanks to the inspiration of a high school teacher, Angela Cunard developed a love of science and enjoyed a career in scientific research. In 2001, she received a Massachusetts Institute for New Teachers signing bonus and became a teacher, herself. She’s been with Seekonk High School for six years now, and has received several environmental and biotechnology awards. Cunard’s classroom has no desks. Instead, her juniors and seniors gather around tables to work on cooperative learning activities. She teaches concepts with hands-on labs and activities, along with Socratic questioning and problem-solving challenges. She often uses current news and real-life application to engage students. Her students can be found discussing exploding frogs in Germany, wading in a river to measure dissolved oxygen, taking their pictures with pineapples at Stop & Shop as part of a plant life scavenger hunt, dissecting Gummi bears, investigating a “crime” scene or selling investors on their startup biology company. |
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Ellen Graham Ellen Graham always knew she wanted to teach school. She became interested in biology after losing both of her parents to cancer when she was young. “I was determined to know more about diseases and how to save myself,” she says. As a life sciences teacher and researcher, Graham works hard to provide a differentiated learning curriculum that allows students of all learning styles to achieve. “There is no student who doesn’t have the ability if taught in a learning style that fits his or her need,” says Graham, the seventh great-granddaughter of Sir Isaac Newton. Graham’s ninth and tenth graders have initiated a School-Wide Recycling Project, turning cans and bottles into cash. They used the proceeds to purchase Pervian Rainforest acreage. All the students were involved, and they celebrated their land ownership at their Earth Day Celebration. |
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Theresa Piazza Theresa Piazza’s career as a math and science teacher began in high school, where she spent her free time tutoring elementary students. Her passion has grown ever since. Not only does she love teaching science, she especially loves teaching middle school students. They’re the perfect age, she says, for exploring details, and they’re still excited to win prizes and share a laugh. “Often, kids lose interest in science when they’re in middle school,” Piazza says. “I want to change that.” Her students count a weathering photo book as one of their favorite projects. A trip to New Hampshire’s Polar Caves and an Essex River boat cruise both provide photo opportunities and field experience. Piazza recently earned her Master of Education Degree in Middle School Science with a 4.0 GPA. |
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James Schliefke James Schliefke’s passion for science began at a young age when he experienced 1985’s Hurricane Gloria. Today, he is known as “The Horace Mann Weatherman,” providing weather forecasts for his anxiously awaiting colleagues, especially during the winter months. Schliefke combines his interest in science with his passion for fun and engaging hands-on activities for his seventh-grade students. His lessons include interdisciplinary connections to mathematics and social studies so that students can understand the importance of science in their world. He integrates technology into his students’ science experience, as well, when they take to the SmartBoard to deliver their own weather forecasts. |
