At which school in the district do you teach?
I teach at Stroudsburg High School.
What subject(s) do you teach?
I currently teach biology, but I have also taught anatomy, physiology, and AP biology in the past.
What grade(s) do you teach?
10th grade
How long have you been teaching at SASD?
This is my 29th year at Stroudsburg High School.
What are your plans when you retire?
The future is unwritten! I hope to stay involved in education in some way, perhaps to work with student teachers to help prepare them for the classroom. I also hope to do a lot more traveling.
If you could teach another subject what would it be and why?
I think I could enjoy teaching drama, as I have directed about 12 shows in the past.
If you had gone into another profession, what would it be and why?
I might have gone on to be an actor. But then again, teaching is like acting, except you can make an impact on someone else’s career and future.
What is one piece of advice you would share with your students?
Be kind to others, you never know what someone is going through. Also, who you are now is not necessarily who you will be in the future. You’re going to encounter lots of different types of people and situations that may change your viewpoints in wonderful ways.
What’s your favorite memory at this school and why?
I can’t say, I have a particular favorite memory, as there are so many. Participating in pep rallies, the Christmas shows, and being at boys’ basketball games back in the day when we played Kobe Bryant were incredible memories.
Why do you love teaching?
As I said, before, teaching is somewhat like acting; therefore, I get to create a persona as a teacher. I also love turning kids on to science and watching them move on to careers in the biological sciences, such as becoming doctors and nurses.
What do you not like about teaching?
People with a minimum if any background in education- politicians- making decisions about something they know nothing about. Oh, and STANDARDIZED TESTS!!!
If you could have one superpower what would it be and why?
To fly, so I get to destinations faster!
How and when did you know teaching was what you wanted to do?
I had an incredible high school, biology teacher, and science teacher in general. They made it fun and were incredibly kind people. I would say in 10th grade when I made that decision.
What is a joke you always keep in your pocket?
Two atoms are walking down the street, both distracted, looking at their cell phones while on Snapchat. They bump into each other, knocking each other over, one atom is really spinning. The other tries to help it up and asks “Are you OK“The other atom responds “I’m not sure, I think I lost an electron”. The first atom responds “Are you sure”. The second atom responds “Yes, I’m positive!”
Who do you look up to?
My two sisters, and my aunt, have been incredibly influential on me.
What is something that most people may not know about you?
I had lunch with then-Vice President Joe Biden at the White House in 2015, as my uncle helped get him started in politics. Also, I was an extra in two movies.
What is a hidden talent of yours?
I can be pretty quick with sarcasm to my friends.
What is your proudest achievement?
Helping to turn students on to science that will become doctors, nurses, physician assistants, etc. There is no greater compliment than having that kind of influence on a person.
What is one thing you wish people knew about teaching/teachers in general?
We worry about other people’s kids as much, if not more than what their parents do. And we take it home with us sometimes.
What makes you smile?
Laughing with family and friends.
How do you think it will feel not teaching every day when you retire?
It will be strange. I don’t think it will be a complete cut from education; I’m sure I will substitute here in there. I just won’t have the paperwork and overwhelming workload like I currently do.
What is something your students have taught you?
They are nowhere near as bad as what old people think they are. They are the future, and I actually have great hope for our future based on the students that I’ve dealt with. They’re going to correct things the older generations have not been able to.
