DEIDRE M.

Deidre is a science teacher from Upper Westchester, New York. She graduated from Mary Louis Academy in 1984 and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Science and Elementary Education in 1991 at Queens College, and a Master’s of Science in Environmental Science at City University and recently completed 60 + professional credits in science curriculum education. She started her career as a paraprofessional in high school special education and became a science teacher working for the New York City Board of Education until 1993. She raised two beautiful daughters and was an Adjunct professor at St. John’s University, Westchester Community College and Bronx Community College in Biological Science.  Her professional journey continued as the Science Chairwoman at Solomon Schechter School in Westchester, and is currently teaching as a tenure track science teacher in the Yonkers Public School system. In addition, she was a cofounder of a non-profit beautification commission called “Keep Rockland Beautiful” which educates students in the preservation of nature and prepares and inspires youth to address the tremendous challenge of protecting our natural resources and providing for healthy, sustainable communities and started a 4H club in her town and fulfilled her interest in raising farm animals and teaching agriculture science. 
She believes students learn science by doing science. Her classes are a medium through which her students will learn life skills that are critical for their success in college and future careers.

Ryan M.

Ryan holds a B.Sc Honours degree in Biochemistry from Mt. Allison University and. M.Sc in Marine Biology from Memorial University. His academic research included endosymbiosis in photosynthetic sea slugs and modeling biogeochemical feedback processes in the North Atlantic.

Ryan’s teaching career has seen him work at international schools across Africa, Asia and North America. He is an experienced tutor of Middle and High School, and University students, including the IB program.

He began formal tutoring in 2001, supporting WUSC’s student refugee program. His teaching specialties now include the Extended Essay and TOK components of the IBDP, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Systems, as well as pre-Calculus and Calculus I.

Ryan is passionate about outdoor education and experiential learning, highlights include: interdisciplinary studies during camping expeditions in the Japanese Alps, midnight biodiversity surveys in the Western Ghats, service learning during Group 4 projects in the Verde Island Passage in the Philippines, and marine mammal dissections around Vancouver Island.

Ryan’s subject expertise and learner-centered approach make his lessons authentic, memorable, and fun. He is also a veteran science teacher, SCUBA instructor, and wildlife photographer.

Istafa S.

Istafa is a certified member of the Ontario College of Teachers. He attended Brock University, where he completed the Concurrent Teacher Education (Bachelor of Science (Honours) / Bachelor of Education) program. As a result, he has teaching qualifications for Intermediate/Senior Biology and Chemistry. Istafa has had in-class teaching experience with Grade 9 and 10 Science, Grade 11 Chemistry, and Grade 11 and 12 Biology. He has also been an environmental educator with various environmental organizations over the last decade. Istafa also attended Niagara College, where he completed a post-graduate certificate in Environmental Management and Assessment. Due to these experiences, he has worked with students from Kindergarten to University/College level courses. Istafa also has prior experience tutoring both secondary and post-secondary level students. Outside of the classroom, Istafa is an avid hiker, runner, musician and artist, playing instruments such as the Guitar, Ukulele, and Mandolin.