At what school do you teach?

Stroudsburg Middle School

What Subject(s) do you teach? 

Science

What Grades do you teach?

7th

What is the best lesson you have ever taught?

A few years ago I started incorporating a STEM lab called “Curing Cancer” at the end of our Cell Division unit. Students worked in groups and designed a tool (with given supplies) that would remove cancer cells (lima beans) from a “patient.” Without getting too wordy about the logistics of the lesson, I consider it one of my best lessons because it really got the students thinking and reflecting about the task. They took pride in their successes and adjusted the cancer-removing tool if improvements were needed. It was fun to observe as a teacher because they were excited, engaged, and able to relate the activity to real-life issues.

What’s your favorite part about teaching? 

My favorite part about being a science teacher is how easy it is to make a lesson fun and hands-on. I love hearing students talk positively about a lab or activity we’ve done in class. It’s also rewarding to see them so engaged in a topic.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Allentown, PA. I pretty much always knew I wanted to be a teacher. My mom ran an in-home daycare since I was 5 years old until I was 14 years old. I always enjoyed helping her with the children that attended there. When I was 14, I helped coach preschool gymnastics. At age 16 I became a birthday party hostess at Discovery Zone. When I was 18, I started working at a daycare as a school-age teacher. All my experiences working with children led me to attend East Stroudsburg University and get a degree in education.

Gallery • 1 Photos

Ms. Incalcaterra in her classroom at Stroudsburg Middle School.