Science Teacher
Know Your Pelicans
What are your impressions of Packer so far? Our students? Your colleagues?
Packer has been incredibly welcoming! The students are driven and intensely curious — they want to know how the world works and are ready to jump right in to school. My colleagues have been incredibly supportive and they also inspire me to strive to keep improving as an educator. I already feel at home in this community.
What do you teach? What is one of your favorite parts of the curriculum?
I teach 9th Grade Physics (Standard and Accelerated). The best part about the science curriculum is that the students discover the models of physics themselves rather than read them straight from a textbook; they learn by actively doing physics instead of passively reading about it.
Why do you teach? What do you like about being a teacher?
Teaching is simply fun. When I'm in the classroom, I don't feel like I'm "working" but rather I'm learning with the students how the world around us works. As the days go by, there's a concrete sense of accomplishment as you see the students learn and grow up along the way.
What's one thing most people at Packer would not know about you?
I'm new to New York City as I've worked at boarding schools my entire career before coming to Packer. It's been a refreshing change of pace already.
What are the strengths of your department?
The science department is collaborative and encouraging with each other. They want to help me succeed as the new guy and are ready to support me in any way they can.