Teacher Spotlight: Miss Jennifer Russo Brings STEM to Life at PBIA
91茄子, a Stanza Education School, is thrilled to welcome Miss Jennifer Russo to our faculty as our new STEM teacher. With a deep love for science, a gift for making complex ideas accessible, and a belief in the power of personalized learning, Miss Russo is already inspiring curiosity and creativity in her students.
A Journey Fueled by Curiosity
Miss Russo鈥檚 path to STEM education began with a simple truth: she loves talking about science. 鈥淚 have a passion for learning and fine-tuning explanations,鈥� she shares. 鈥淎 career in STEM education seemed like the most fitting way to love what I do.鈥�
Her pivotal moment came during her first year of college, when a physics professor introduced a lab-based hybrid model that encouraged students
to discover concepts through hands-on experimentation. 鈥淚t fascinated me,鈥� Miss Russo recalls. 鈥淚 changed my major to Physics after that class. It challenged me to always look for new ways students could learn.鈥�
That same spirit of innovation drew her to PBIA. 鈥淚 truly believe PBIA鈥檚 hybrid learning model is the most efficient way for students to learn,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t fosters respect and autonomy, which are qualities I see lacking in most other educational systems.鈥�
Making STEM Real and Relevant
Miss Russo鈥檚 teaching philosophy is rooted in real-world application and interdisciplinary learning. 鈥淎ll STEM topics, including math, can be taught through real-world applications,鈥� she explains. 鈥淚 like to incorporate student interests and combine STEM with other academic subjects. It gives every student a chance to succeed and challenges those already confident in STEM to stretch beyond their comfort zone.鈥�
Her favorite hands-on project? The legendary Egg Drop Challenge, where students use physics principles to safely land an egg from a great height. This year, she鈥檚 excited to introduce two new projects: the Punnett Whodunit, a genetics-based mystery-solving activity, and constructing a lemon battery to power a timer.
Miss Russo also places a high value on student questions. 鈥淐uriosity fades when questions aren鈥檛 taken seriously,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 strive to answer every question, whether it鈥檚 a review of basic material or a complex, out-of-the-box inquiry. Even if it鈥檚 unrelated to the lesson, I praise the creativity to encourage them to keep asking.鈥�
Beyond the Classroom
When she鈥檚 not teaching, Miss Russo鈥檚 passions continue to fuel her creativity. She鈥檚 an avid learner of all things STEM, and she also enjoys singing, musical theatre, puzzles, and video games. And here鈥檚 a fun fact her students might not expect: she can yodel!
If she could have dinner with any scientist, she wouldn鈥檛 hesitate to choose Richard Feynman. 鈥淣obody understood STEM teaching and simplifying complex topics like he did,鈥� she says.
Miss Russo embodies the spirit of PBIA: curious, creative, and committed to helping students discover their own paths to understanding. We鈥檙e so excited to have her on our team and can鈥檛 wait to see the sparks she鈥檒l ignite with our students.