Who are you? My name is Ms. Weinstein. I teach US History and AP US History (APUSH). This is my 8th year teaching. I went to Binghamton University for undergraduate and Hofstra University for grad school. I grew up on Long Island and now live in Queens. What’s the Curriculum like? (Pre-Quarantine and Post-Quarantine)? For both US History classes, we begin with indigenous North America pre-Columbus and end with modern-day America. Pre-Quarantine, students complete a lot of collaborative and group work, as well as discussions and debates. That is a bit of a challenge with remote learning, but I try to incorporate digital discussions as much as I can. I also used a number of digital learning tools before remote learning, … [Read more...]
Fundamentals of Sophomore Architectural Drafting class
Who are you? My name is Mrs. Rivera. I have been teaching Architectural Drafting for 16 years, of which 9 have been here at WHSAD. I am the daughter of Dominican parents and was raised in the South Bronx. I am the mother of three beautiful children. I studied in St. Francis college for two years and then transferred to New York City College of Technology in Brooklyn to finish my degree in Technology Education. What’s the Curriculum like? (Pre-Quarantine and Post-Quarantine) Pre-quarantine students learned to identify and draw the components of a residential structure through the use of the AutoCAD and Revit programs. Students learned how to design and create floor plans, elevations, and other construction drawings. Towards the end … [Read more...]
Fundamentals of AP Environmental Science
Who are you? My name is Mr. Giambrone (Mr. G), and I am currently the AP Environmental Science teacher in addition to one of the Earth Science teachers this year. This is currently my second year of teaching, and I couldn’t be more thankful to have started my teaching career here at WHSAD. I grew up in Lindenhurst, NY - a town in Suffolk County on Long Island. It was in Lindenhurst High School where I figured out that I never wanted to leave high school. So, I thought to myself that there was no better way to accomplish this then to become a teacher! From there, I went on to receive my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Hofstra University. In this picture, I (on the left) am standing here with former student, Dajour Williams (’20), … [Read more...]
Fundamentals of Freshman Spanish and AP Spanish Language & Culture class
This article is an overview of the Freshmen Spanish and AP Spanish Language & Culture classes. Below, Spanish teacher, Ms. Viscarra talks about what the two classes will cover and what to expect. Who are you? My name is Ms. Viscarra, I am the Spanish teacher for 9th graders, but I also have the pleasure of teaching Regents level Spanish to the 11th and 12th graders. I have been teaching Spanish for the past 7 years, 5 of those years at WHSAD. I was born and raised in Ecuador, and I moved to the United States at 18 years old. I obtained my Education degree at Stony Brook and got my master's degree in TESOL at Long Island University. I am proud to say that I am the cool aunt to my beautiful 8 nieces and nephews. I have 2 … [Read more...]
Fundamentals for Pre Calc class
This article is an overview of the Pre-Calculus class. Below, Pre-Calculus teacher, Mr.Baldwin talks about what the class covers and what to expect. Who are you? I am Colley Baldwin. I'm originally from Trinidad & Tobago. Degrees: BS in Mathematical Physics (CUNY Baccalaureate Program); MS in Physics (Penn State University); MS in Science Education (Pace University). Teaching over 20 years; 15 yrs with WHSAD, I teach Physics & Precalculus. What are students doing online and how does it differ from when we were in person? Online: The students moved at a much slower pace. Seems like Covid "depression" set in at times. In-person: Students tend to be more attentive and participate more. Students compete … [Read more...]
Fundamentals of Chemistry class
This article is an overview of Chemistry class. Below, Chemistry teacher, Ms. Ostashevsky talks about what the class will cover and what to expect. Who are you? I am a chemistry teacher. I've been teaching for 5 years. Before coming to WHSAD the previous fall, I spent 3 years at a charter school in the South Bronx. I like teaching in a Brooklyn public school because I am also a product of one, having grown up in the borough. My class covers introductory topics in Chemistry. Being familiar with the periodic table of elements, common compounds, and how reactions happen can help you understand what happens below the surface in much of our world. Chemistry is called the "central science." It'll help you understand subjects like biology, … [Read more...]
Fundamentals of Sophomore Spanish and AP Spanish Language & Culture class
This article is an overview of the Sophomore Spanish and AP Spanish Language and Culture classes. Below, Spanish teacher, Ms. Soto talks about what the two classes will cover and what to expect. Who are you? I am Ms. Soto. I have been teaching Spanish for 10 years. In my first 3 years, I taught in Washington State. I've been at WHSAD for 7 years, where I have been teaching the 2nd year Spanish class and the AP Spanish Language & Culture class. I was born in the Dominican Republic and came to NYC when I was 14 years old. I was raised in the Bronx, but I have lived in Queens for the last 5 years to be closer to our school. I received my Bachelor's Degree in Spanish at Alfred University and got my Dual Master's … [Read more...]
Junior Fundamentals of English Class
This article is an overview of the Junior English class. Below, English teacher, Mr. Rodriguez talks about what the class will cover and what to expect for juniors. Who are you?I am the other Mr. Rodriguez, not the cool Architecture & Design Mr. Rodriguez, the cool JuniorEnglish Mr. Rodriguez. I have been teaching for 17 years. In my first 8 years I taught English andcoached the varsity football team at Automotive High School and in my last 9 years I have beenteaching Junior English at WHSAD. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, attended andplayed baseball and football at Midwood High School, and received my Bachelor’s Degree inEnglish/Education and Master’s Degree in English Literature. I am blessed to have a beautifulwife … [Read more...]
The Pilecki Project-Witold Pilecki’s Great-Grandson Speaks to the Group
On Saturday, April 24th, WHSAD had a meeting with the creators of The Pilecki Project, a project about the life of Witold Pilecki, a Polish resistance leader and fighter who volunteered to go to Auschwitz, one of the worst Nazi concentration camps. Pilecki worked undercover to recruit people for his resistance group. The Pilecki Project enables students to interact, communicate, organize, and realize projects with one another while learning about Mr. Pilecki and how his story inspires people to this day. Click here to visit the Pilecki Project website. Each of WHSAD's participants answered the following questions about the presentation: Can you talk a bit about what you've done in the Pilecki Project? What did … [Read more...]
Freshmen Fundamentals of Architecture and Design Class
This article is an overview of the Architecture and Design class for freshmen. Below teachers, Mr. Geringer and Mr. Rodriguez talk about what the class will be like for incoming freshmen and what to expect. Who are you? My name is Ira Geringer, and I am one of the freshmen architecture & design teachers at WHSAD. After a long career as a professional in the graphic design industry, I became a CTE teacher and aim to develop the design skills and creative thinking process of all of our students. My name is Abraham Rodriguez. I am a career and technical educator with a strong passion for design, technology, and sustainability. Through computer-aided design and work-based learning, I facilitate students' learning experiences to … [Read more...]