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Aurea Berrios Saez Aristotle’s declaration that “moral excellence comes about as a result of habit” helps guide Aurea Berrios Saez as she interacts with her students. Saez has devoted almost 30 years to teaching biology and science research, with 20 of those years working on various local, district and regional science fair committees. Her students enjoy a variety of projects including the Luquillo Schoolyard LTER, the Secondary School Forest and the GLOBE Project, where they share scientific information via the Internet. Saez holds a Master of Science Education degree from the University of Puerto Rico and an Environmental Management degree from the Metropolitan University. Among her publications, the most relevant are “El estudio de la Prestoea Montana en el Bosque Pluvial Tropical” and the thesis “Evaluación de los Recursos Naturales del Bosque Estatal de Cambalache, Puerto Rico, y el desarrollo de un Plan Estratégico para su manejo sostenible” (1988). |
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Julio de Jesús Aponte Julio de Jesús Aponte’s interest in science began when he was 8 years old, collecting rocks and snails. Today, the scholar community admires his commitment to educating students as well as further educating his colleagues through developing professional courses. Last year, Aponte was one of 25 teachers chosen by the Foundation for Teaching Economics to participate in an environment and economy program. He also was one of 25 teachers selected for Gillette’s Leadership Program. Aponte has participated in University of Georgia’s Proteomics and Genomics Workshop and was one of 20 teachers accepted to The Maury Project on oceanography at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. |
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Zugeily Marcano Irizarry In her short four years as teacher, Zugeily Marcano Irizarry has learned the importance of communicating with her students and ensuring that they recognize opportunities to reach their full potential. Last year, she started the successful “Chemistry in the Environment” program where students take on projects and present their work to the rest of the school. Irizarry plans to expand the concept this year. “My students are already leaving prints that are part of my journey as a teacher,” she says. “They see me as a role model and that, even though I’m young, I have a lot of knowledge and determination. I believe this motivates students to build bridges toward discovering a new tomorrow in the science world.” |
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José A. Rivera His inquisitive mind led José A. Rivera to the field of science. He calls himself a self-specialist, finding answers to questions on his own — and he encourages his students to do the same. During his 23 years of teaching physics, Rivera has his students search for answers on a variety of nature- and life-related questions. His “The Universe at the Reach of Your Hands” program, for example, show students how astronomy can answer many questions about the world’s creation. His “Star Night” activity prompts further questions and answers regarding the universe. Rivera won a Teacher of Excellence award from Aguada in 2005. |
