Advanced Placement Biology, UCONN Early College Experience Marine Science, Marine Science I, Systems & Sustainability, Room 103
dbednarz@ledyard.net
Twitter: @DBednarzLHS

For my class, families can help their students succeed by setting up a consistent time to work on homework and reinforcing the importance of students checking their Google Classrooms.

I love teaching science because I love to see students go through the discovery process, whether it be in the lab or in the field. Science is real and is all around us!

On a typical Saturday, you might find me working on correcting student work and/or planning for the activities and lessons for the next week in school. When I feel overwhelmed by all of this, a walk in the woods can be good therapy.

Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, Room 104
echivers@ledyard.net

For my class, families can help their students succeed by giving students a quiet space to complete work at home in order to watch videos and complete virtual lessons.

I love teaching science because science is about problem solving. Biology is all about the study of life and Anatomy & Physiology is introducing students to the medical field. I hope students will learn how important it is to solve problems, especially when it comes to medicine. Perhaps some of these students will go on the solve important medical problems, such as curing cancer!

On a typical Saturday, you might find me walking on the beach or hiking with my two young sons and our Great Dane.

Forensic Science, Biology, Room 304
adonovan@ledyard.net

For my class, families can help their students succeed by having your son or daughter review each day's work for a total of 10-15 minutes. Students who do this understand the lessons better, which results in higher grades.

I love teaching forensic science and biology because they are hands-on courses in which everything I was taught , I was able to experience in real time. For instance, studying how a one celled organism responds to the stimuli of heat.

On a typical Saturday, you might find me waking up early and completing housework, followed by errands and possibly cutting the lawn. Usually, my husband and I eat out for dinner.

Bioethics & Collaborative Biology, Room 102
kmontgomery@ledyard.net
Twitter: @ksmont

For my class, families can help their students succeed by
1. Check Powerschool, which is updated almost daily. Due dates for each assignment are listed and the names of assignments match those on Google Classroom. Check the key for various codes, which tell you if an assignment has been collected, even if it hasn't been graded, whether an assignment was turned in late, etc.

2. Have your child check their "To Do" link on Google Classroom to keep track of what assignments still need completing.

3. Remind student to be logged into Google Classroom at the start of every class, complete the warm up and log into Google Meet with the mic off and the camera on.

4. Remind student to ask for help and schedule an individual Google Meet with me as soon as the child is struggling. Do not put this off.

5. Support your child in becoming independent and responsible by asking him/her to keep track of their assignments in Google Classroom and PowerSchool, and initiating contact with me, but please reach out to me if your child is unwilling or uncomfortable with doing that on their own.

6. Be sure the student has a quiet, uncluttered work space.

7. Encourage child to take physical motor breaks when available.

8. Discourage use of electronics for other purposes besides school during school hours.

9. Communicate, communicate, communicate - as often as needed. Both student and parent can and should reach out to me via email when there is any question, small or large. Communication is vital.

10. Recognize student's achievements and encourage them to learn as much as they can and work to their full potential, and to never be afraid to make mistakes.

I love teaching science because I have always loved biology, but never planned to major in biology until I took an ecology class my first semester in college and fell in love. I originally planned to go into research and only realized in my mid-twenties that I loved teaching, whether it was tutoring, working as a horseback riding instructor, teaching two-year-olds or running classes at the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center. I decided then to cancel my graduate school plans and switch to a master's teaching program. I love those moments when a student's face lights up because they put something together in their head, made a connection with something they learned or are simply proud of an accomplishment. I love watching students learn from each other and I love learning from them. I enjoy watching teenagers mature and grow into themselves. I love being able to interact with people from different backgrounds and sometimes I like to torture students with my favorite music genres.

On a typical Saturday, you might find me hiking one of the trails near my house with my dogs, getting ice cream, hanging in the backyard with my boys, my husband and my niece, cooking, working out or reading, playing a board game with my family, and once upon a time, hanging out with a few friends or watching my husband's play at a local venue.

Exploring Physics, Conceptual Physics, AP Physics 1, Room 215/216
grobinson@ledyard.net

For my class, families can help their students succeed by having a place and time where your student can do their physics homework. Also, every physics student should have a scientific calculator to use every day in class and at home. Being familiar with their own calculator helps a student focus on their physics (or SAT test!) without being distracted or frustrated by an unfamiliar calculator.

I love teaching science because I like to understand how the world works, which is the subject matter of physics. I particularly like helping my students see and understand the world around them in a new way. Physics is the science of the natural world, and enriches the lives of everyone who takes it; not just those who will pursue scientific or technical careers.

On a typical Saturday, you might find me playing games with my kids, reading a good book, walking in the woods near my home, working in the yard, or maybe playing golf.

Chemistry Level 2, Chemistry Level 3, Room 204
evossoughi@ledyard.net

For my class, families can help their students succeed by encouraging students to reach out via email whenever they are struggling.

I love teaching science because I find chemistry fascinating and love getting to share the excitement with students when we do labs that drive their curiosity!

On a typical Saturday, you might find me working on farmhouse signs in our workshop and enjoying the outdoors!

AP Environmental Science, Chemistry level 1, Chemistry level 2, Room 203
wwang@ledyard.net

For my class, families can help their students succeed by having a structured time and space at home to do assignments can help maintain a proper school-life balance.

I love teaching science because 1) Learning science is a great way to train your mind for critical thinking and problem solving no matter what you do;

2) Learning science provides opportunities for you to find a job to support your family and communities.

On a typical Saturday, you might find me cleaning house, walking my dog, taking care of various church services...

Systems and Sustainability (level 1 & level 3), Earth Science, Room 305
jwisniewski@ledyard.net

For my class, families can help their students succeed by checking in on Google Classroom and the work/to do section of Classwork.

I love teaching science because because I enjoy weather, mineralogy, plate tectonics and the impacts these have on the environment. I engage students by using real world scientific events so they see the science applied in real time.

On a typical Saturday, you might find me tending to my bee hives, on my ham radio, helping my son or daughter with their sport events, working around the house, watching a sports event, spending time with my wife, cooking for the family or just enjoying a cup of coffee.

AP Chemistry, AP Physics 1, and Chemistry 1, Room 201/202
swoodruff@ledyard.net
Twitter: @drufflhs

For my class, families can help their students succeed by making sure students log in to our Google Meets when they are home and remind them to check the assignments in Google Classroom and grades in PowerSchool everyday. Reminding students to ask for help if they need it!

I love teaching science because science is behind almost every major advance associated with the human experience. It is a great vehicle to help students to become better problem solvers and to help them understand everything that we know to exist.

On a typical Saturday, you might find me riding my bike, playing tennis, skiing, gardening. OK, those are the things I would like to be doing, but I'm probably working in my yard. ;)