ISLANDERS TEACHER OF THE MONTH
EVERFI IS TEAMING UP WITH THE ISLES
EverFi Future Goals Program
Sign Your School Up
Feb. 2021: Brian Cyriac
Jan. 2021: Kenya Bowman
Dec. 2020: Brad Turnow
Community Stars of the Week
How long have you been teaching?
I've been teaching 6th grade science for 8 years.
Why did you decide to become a teacher and what is your favorite part of teaching?
My older sister is 10 years older than me and became an elementary school teacher. I would go and visit her class towards the end of the school year and loved interacting with the students. They always managed to put a smile on my face and could tell my sister genuinely enjoyed going to work each day. As she puts it, "I can't believe we get paid to do what we do".
It is very hard to pick a single moment as each year brings new faces and new relationships, which is one of my favorite parts of being a teacher. I love teaching Science, but some of the best moments of the day are the interactions I have in the hallway with my current and former students.
What is your favorite part of Future Goals & how are you using it in your classroom?
For the past handful of years, I have been using Future Goals to introduce Kinetic and Potential Energy to my students. The puck being dropped is a simple, yet effective way to have the students make a real-world connection to how energy is transformed from one type to the other. I am also an Islanders fan so it gives me an opportunity to let the students see what I enjoy outside of school, which helps foster relationships. I always enjoy the banter back and forth between the Islanders and Ranger fans when I introduce this topic each year!
What was your student's reaction to your course?
The students really enjoy it! Hockey fans, especially Islanders fans, enjoy it for obvious reasons. Even students that do not love hockey enjoy the videos and interactives that go along with lesson.
Who is your favorite NHL® player and why?
This is very tough, but I think I would go Anders Lee. He is the Islanders' captain and leads by example. He is not afraid to do the "dirty" work to help the team win.
If you played hockey, would you rather be the goalie or a goal scorer? Why?
I would have to lean towards goal scorer as I played soccer throughout college and was a more offensive player than defensive player my whole life.
How else are you involved in your local community?
I coach two sports in the Port Washington School District. I am the assistant varsity soccer coach as well as the head coach for the girls' middle school track and field team. I often attend various community events including our Pride in Port Parade and our Unity Day Walk.
The New York Islanders and EverFi are teaming up to highlight local teachers. Learn more about the EverFi Future Goals program. Sign your school up today!
