Society staff reflect on the teachers who shaped them
Society for Science not only encourages students to pursue STEM careers and advance STEM literacy but also supports the teachers and mentors who make this possible through our STEM Outreach programs.
World Teachers’ Day is celebrated on October 5 to honor all the hard work and accomplishments of our teachers across the globe. To commemorate the holiday, we asked Society staff to share their own influential teachers and mentors — the educators who helped to guide them onto their current path.
Thank you to all educators who continue to strive in our schools and organizations.
Jessica Buono, Program Manager of Grants and Engagement
“One of my middle school math teachers, Mrs. Zucker, made math interesting and fun for me. It was the first time that I can remember math really making sense. When I became a middle school math and science teacher myself, I tried to be the ‘Mrs. Zucker’ for my students.”
Ricardo Gortaire, IT Manager
“I have had an interest in math and science ever since I was an elementary school student, and it was through the support of mentors that this interest was fostered. I remember my fourth-grade teacher supported my love of math, which later bloomed into a passion for finance and business that I pursued through my undergraduate and graduate degrees. I also had a middle school teacher who helped me grow an interest in science and discover my love of plants. I used to want to be a farmer because I loved plants and agriculture, and I continue to discover this passion by growing herbs, vegetables and other plants at home. Both experiences started at an early age and shaped the course of my life, showing me the importance of science and math education for young people, which is an issue that I am happy to work on today through my position at Society for Science.”
Brendan Maguire, Specialist for STEM Competitions
“Dr. B, my math teacher from grades four through eight, inspired me to take risks and be confident in the classroom. She ingrained in me the understanding that it was okay to make mistakes because that is where the true learning happens. I carried that lesson and that confidence with me throughout my educational journey, and it is a significant factor in who I am today.”
Pratham Patkar, Director of Business Systems
“My tutor Shailesh Manjrekar didn’t just save my grades—he completely reshaped my relationship with learning and ultimately my career path. I came to him in seventh grade, having failed my programming courses. I was struggling with GW Basic and Logo. However, Mr. Manjrekar took the time to understand exactly how I processed information and then tailored his teaching to suit my needs. He showed me that programming was simply logic expressed through different syntax, starting with pseudo-code exercises before moving to actual coding. The breakthrough came when he asked me to teach sections of his other classes. Learning with the mindset that I’d eventually need to teach it to someone else revolutionized how I absorbed information. This approach transformed me from someone failing at programming to someone who decided to pursue Computer Science Engineering as a career.
Mr. Manjrekar’s influence extends far beyond those early programming lessons—it fundamentally changed how I learn about new technologies and approach problems, shaping not just my academic success but my entire professional journey. This experience reinforced my belief that educators, especially effective ones, can be foundational in shaping an individual’s future and, consequently, the future of society as a whole.”
Anna Pawlow, Director of STEM Education Outreach
“I fell in love with analytical thinking and problem-solving because of my two chemistry teachers in high school. My passion for science continued to be supported in college by professors who mentored my analytical research and sparked my interest in chemical organic synthesis. Building confidence in my ability to pursue science was what my teachers helped me with most, and it’s why I chose to begin my career in science education as a high school teacher, right where my STEM story began.”
Kamal Quarles, IT Specialist
“I’ve had a few teachers in my life that have been inspirational, but one who immediately comes to mind was my 10th & 11th grade English teacher, Ms. Dolesh. This lady did not play; she taught AP English and because I was in an advanced program, I had to take a class with her. She was instrumental in my academic career because not only did she challenge me to be better, but she also showed me that I could face any challenge if I was determined and dedicated. Excelling, rather than just completing her class, gave me the confidence to know that I could achieve success in college.”
