天美传媒

by Brett Spielberg

How can I become a science teacher? That鈥檚 the question Vanessa Vidalon 鈥�07, M.A. 鈥�08, asked herself when she majored in biology at . Now, just a few years later, she has been recognized as one of the (STARs) for 2012.

By day, Ms. Vidalon teaches introductory physics and earth science to seventh and eighth graders at in Freeport. At night, she teaches living environment at .

鈥淚 teach night school for kids that haven鈥檛 graduated on time and that can鈥檛 go to school during the day,鈥� she said. 鈥淭wo science regents are still required to test for the GED.鈥�

Ms. Vidalon, a native of who is fluent in English and Spanish, gained extensive experience in the sciences as a member of . Her professors, including Benjamin Weeks, Ph.D., enabled her to be creative while learning.

鈥淎delphi鈥檚 science program is amazing and was the reason I went there,鈥� Ms. Vidalon said. 鈥淒r. Weeks just made class so much fun. I probably take on a few characteristics of his in the classroom myself.鈥�

As much as she enjoyed being a student, Ms. Vidalon the STAR educator was born after she heard her sorority sisters鈥攎embers of the (S.T.E.P.)鈥攖alk about their student teaching placements. That鈥檚 when she knew exactly what she wanted to do for a living.

After beginning graduate studies in Adelphi鈥檚 , Ms. Vidalon gained plenty of teaching experience.

Ms. Vidalon鈥檚 student teaching placement was at in North Bellmore-North Merrick, where an educator who taught advanced placement biology and advanced science research had just taken leave. Ms. Vidalon became not only a student teacher, but also one of the school鈥檚 most vital science educators.

鈥淢y professors spoke with the school to work it out and the principal was so thankful because I was perfect as a one-year replacement,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was practical experience building lessons. I had been a biology student, but learning to be a teacher was like learning child psychology.鈥�

With a year of significant experience on her resume, Ms. Vidalon was hired as a middle school teacher in the .

In addition to teaching day and night, Ms. Vidalon is a judge for the annual science and engineering fair at Freeport High School and the head coach of the girls鈥� junior varsity soccer team there.

Sounds like this S.T.E.P. graduate has become a STAR in more ways than one.