Who's Who

Jeannie Guglielmo - Middle Level SAR; Forensic Science SAR
E-mail: jmeberhardt@optonline.net
Jeannie is a former forensic scientist for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Suffolk County Crime Lab.  Now Biology and General Sciences certified, she will be teaching at Gelinas Junior High School.  Jeannie additionally serves as an adjunct professor at SUNY Stony Brook in Forensic Science and runs a summer camp for high school students as part of Stony Brook's Center for Science and Mathematics Education (CESAME).  Jeannie helps to organize and coordinate the activities for the Long Island Forensic Educators (LIFE) group, which meets bi-annually.

Ed McDaniels - Retiree SAR

E-mail: edmcdaniels@hotmail.com

Only recently retiring in 2008, Ed taught physics for forty years in the Massapequa School District.  In addition, Ed served SCSTA members for many years in the role of Physics SAR.  Ed is now happily enjoying the next phase of his life as well as his role as Retirees SAR.


Linda Padwa - College SAR
Stony Brook University, Science Education Program
A former high school chemistry teacher, Linda currently serves as the Associate Director of the Science Education Program at Stony Brook University. In addition, she is the faculty advisor for Stony Brook's student chapter of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). A New York State Chemistry Mentor for many years, Linda has presented countless workshops for chemistry teachers under the auspices of STANYS and BOCES. Contact from other science educators at local colleges and universities would be welcomed, as would the opportunity to share concerns regarding science teacher preparation programs.


James Ripka - Section Chairperson

E-mail: Ripka@aol.com

James is a chemistry and forensics teacher at MacArthur High School.  In addition to his role as Suffolk Section Chairperson, James currently serves as the Director At Large for Chemistry for STANYS and is a member of the Conference Committee.

 

Sheilah Schumann - Elementary SAR; Public Relations & Archives

E-mail: sheilah_s@yahoo.com

A former elementary science specialist, Sheilah currently teaches sixth grade gifted and talented classes in the Northport-East Northport School District.  In the past Sheilah served as the SCSTA Section Secretary.  Presently she is continuing in the role of Public Relations and Archives coordinator in addition to taking on the new positon of elementary level SAR.  Correspondence from Suffolk County elementary teachers would be warmly welcomed.


Gary Vorwald - Section Secretary & Director at Large

E-mail: glaciergary@aol.com

Currently the Science Department Chairperson at Paul J. Gelinas JHS in Setauket, Gary has taught earth science since 1986, starting out in the Island Trees School District and continuing today at Gelinas. In past years, Gary has served our section as Middle Level SAR, Vice President for Membership, Vice President for Programs, and Chairperson 2006-2009.  Sharing his passion for earth science, Gary also served as an ESPRIT Earth Science Mentor for Nassau and Suffolk County, giving numerous workshops and programs on the Earth Science performance test and inquiry activities in Earth Science, fossils, and glaciers. At Gelinas, Gary has developed the Science Olympiad program into one of the best in the state. The team has over 50 students participate annually, and has been Eastern Long Island champions since 2001.  The Gelinas team was NYS Champion 2006-2008, and has traveled to the national tournament many times.

Melissa Montauk - Earth Science SAR, Webmaster, MATEX Coordinator

E-mail: mmontauk@levittownschools.com

I currently teach 9th grade Earth Science at MacArthur H.S. in Levittown.  I was the recipient of the STANYS Fellows New Teacher Award in 2008 & have since then become very active with the group.  I just received a service award from the Suffolk STANYS for my help with the group.  I have hosted two L.I. Earth Science meetings this year and plan on continuing the meetings for the upcoming school year.