Science Team

Teams

• Leadership

• Arts

• Counseling

• ELA

• Foreign Language

• Math

• PE & Health

• Support Staff

• Science

• Social Studies

• Learning Specialists

• College Readiness

Faith 

Faith was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. She left home to explore a new academic journey by completing a Microbiology undergraduate degree at Michigan State University and later achieved a Master’s in Molecular Biology back at Korea University. Her educational experience in the States inspired her to raise her family in Long Island, where she has since dedicated several years to teaching her deep appreciation for science and mathematics—both in public and private school settings in Long Island/New York City. Her commitment lies in nurturing students' scientific thinking and cultivating their independent love for learning. Faith is excited to join the WESS team to teach AP Biology! Beyond the classroom, Faith loves to travel and cherish her precious moments with her husband and two sons. 

Isabelle

Isabelle grew up in Lexington, Kentucky (Go CATS!). After graduate school she moved to New York City and began teaching middle school science. She left the Department of Education for 3 years to develop curriculum for the Lang Youth Medical Program at New York Presbyterian Hospital, but found herself missing the classroom and direct interaction with students. She went back to teaching and developed a love of the Expeditionary Learning model. Isabelle is constantly learning and striving to improve her practice, and seeks opportunities to grow as a teacher and scientist through her Math for America fellowship and through fellowships with the Academy for Teachers. Outside of the classroom, Isabelle loves to travel, whether to new places around the globe, or to France and Italy to visit family. She is a smitten mother of fraternal twin girls and loves watching them grow.

Idalia

Idalia was born and raised on the Upper West Side, where she learned to love this city and the public schools she attended. She went to Oberlin College, where she developed her passions for earth and environmental science, farming, and food justice (shout out to the Oberlin Student Cooperative Association). After graduating, she tried out the West Coast and spent several years working in the world of food justice, coordinating food distribution and gardening programs. She worked alongside youth the whole time and, after running back to New York City, decided to dive into education full time by getting a Master’s in education at Hunter College (shout out to CUNY)! She enjoys cooking and baking, crying of laughter too easily, and advocating for compassion and justice in and outside the classroom.

Jesse

Jesse was born and raised in Hell's Kitchen, a mere stone's throw away from WESS. After successfully navigating the NYC public schools, he attended the Macaulay Honors College at Hunter, where he earned a Bachelors and Masters degree in Biological Sciences. While studying at Hunter, Jesse participated in a math and science tutoring program for students who had struggled in these subjects. This experience exposed him to the inequities present in NYC schools and highlighted how lucky he had been to always have professional and caring teachers, who pushed him both academically and creatively. Those thoughts stuck with him as he set off into the world of scientific research, studying the molecular machinery behind the creation of unique antibodies and DNA repair at Mount Sinai. Unable to shake his epiphany on how meaningful the teachers in his life had been, he applied to the NYC Teaching Fellows and through this program, earned a Bachelors of Science in Adolescent Science Education from Pace University while simultaneously teaching in a struggling school in the South Bronx. It is from there that his story brought him to WESS, where he is continuing his journey to become the most caring and inspiring teacher he can be. In his non-teaching life, Jesse enjoys the quizzical look upon friends' faces as he regales them with tales of hardship in wild places and the happiness that struggle brings him. He also enjoys crafting delicious and (sometimes) healthy meals at his home, reading frequently, and continuing his education through travel and homegrown experience.

Julissa

Julissa was born and raised in New York City and is a proud product of the NYC public school system. After graduating from Brooklyn Technical High School, she went on to complete six years at the State University at Albany majoring in Psychology and Education, ultimately obtaining a Masters of Science in Education Administration. Along with education, Julissa also has a strong passion for health and wellness. In 2007, she obtained a certificate in Holistic Health Counseling from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. While working as a weight loss counselor in Philadelphia, Julissa obtained her teaching certification from Drexel University in hopes of putting herself back on the path to work in the classroom.  After years of working for the NYCDOE on the administrative level, Julissa successfully transitioned into the classroom and joined the WESS team in September 2018... and has never looked back. She loves engaging students in fun, meaningful projects, inside and outside the school walls, that challenge them to see their world and the potential they have to heal it. Working with young people to help them discover their greatness is nothing short of a blessing. When not in the classroom she is guaranteed to be breaking up a fight between her two young children, dancing, practicing Yoga, or traveling.

Karman

Karman is a native New Yorker who grew up in East Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan. She attended SUNY Oswego where she obtained a degree in chemistry before attending Teachers College at Columbia for her graduate degree in science education. She participated in three years of independent research during her undergraduate year. During Karman’s senior year in college, she became inspired to teach while working with first-year students during general chemistry as their student mentor in the lab. During her time at Columbia, she fell in love with teaching while working with students in Harlem and Brooklyn, becoming committed to creating a fun and engaging classroom environment focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion. Karman hopes to inspire her students with her journey and help all students discover a love for lifelong learning (even if it isn’t for science). In her spare time Karman loves to spend time with family and explore food spots all over the city.

Laura S. 

Laura S. is from Queens, New York and has always held a deep appreciation for nature and the environment. Growing up walking, bird watching, and frog catching in city parks, her passions led her to pursue a degree in Environmental Studies at SUNY Purchase. There she gained a comprehensive understanding of environmental issues and their impacts, subsequently engaging in conservation and sustainability efforts around the globe including projects in South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and Costa Rica. After a brief stint as an outdoor educator, Laura was motivated to make a difference in the lives of young learners within NYC classrooms. Obtaining a Master’s Degree in Earth Science through the NYC Teaching Fellows at Brooklyn College in 2012, she has remained in the classroom ever since, and is excited to be part of the WESS community. On the weekends, Laura is likely wandering through new museum exhibits in the city, venturing through the woods upstate, or cooking and baking at home.