Science Department Faculty

	Stephen Acquaro Mr. Acquaro is currently Science Research and a 7th grade Science teacher here at Oyster Bay. Recognized as a New York State Master Teacher, Mr. Acquaro developed extensive research opportunities for our middle and high school students within and beyond our district. He has a real passion for science in general, but has degrees in Biology, Chemistry, and Education. He hopes to incorporate his love of poetry, science, physical strength, and curiosity into his classroom to inspire his students to love learning nearly as much as he does. In his class students will never ask the question "why do I need to know this?"
	Brittany Cahill Extra Help Schedule: Mon-Friday 7:15-7:40pm; Mon, Wed-Fri 2:20-2:45pm in Rooms 217/220 Ms. Cahill is currently teaching AP Biology and providng Living Environment intervention services. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences at SUNY Binghamton University and received her Master’s in Science Education at CUNY Queens Collect. She has been teaching at Oyster Bay High School for seven years and could not imagine teaching in any other school district! When asked to describe her teaching philosophy, Ms. Cahill says, "I firmly believe that every child who enters my classroom should be warmly welcomed into an environment that is both caring and stimulating. I am confident that these two essential characteristics will enable my students to grow intellectually, emotionally, and socially over the course of the school year. Furthermore, these two characteristics have helped me to create an environment that is safe, respectful, supportive of risk-taking, and encouraging of constant student-student interaction and communication."
	Kevin Cotter Kevin Cotter is a 6th Grade science teacher at the Vernon School. He has taught at Vernon since 1993. Mr.Cotter has taught 3rd and 4th grade as well as each subject area in 6th grade. Mr. Cotter is currently the Head Varsity and JV Boys and Girls Cross Country Coach, and one of the Head Coaches for Winter and Spring Track. Mr. Cotter is a proud father, an avid runner and enjoys hiking, biking and pretty much all outdoor activities.
	Regina D'Orio Regina D'Orio teaches Science and Technology at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Scranton and her Master's Degree from Queen's College. She is currently pursuing a post-graduate STEM Certification at New York Institute of Technology. During her 20 year career in Oyster Bay-East Norwich she has also taught 4th grade at James H. Vernon School. Mrs. D'Orio is looking forward to engaging young learners in STEM experiences, and hopes that their excitement for science and technology continues to develop and grow throughout their years in OBEN.
	Keith Harrison Mr. Harrison teaches Technology at the James H. Vernon School. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from SUNY Cortland, his Master’s Degree from New York Institute of Technology and an advanced certificate in School Leadership from Stony Brook University. During his career in Oyster Bay, he has been a special education teaching assistant, a reading specialist and a K-2 Science and Technology teacher. Mr. Harrison enjoys being able to offer his students a wide range of unique technology opportunities including an introduction to coding and robotics.
	Yvonne Johnson Dr. Johnson is currently teaching Chemistry Honors and AP Chemistry at Oyster Bay High School. She has a background in research and received her Doctorate Degree in Neurobiology and Behavior at Stony Brook University studying a growth inhibitory molecule that accumulates at sites of spinal cord and other central nervous system injuries. Her interest in neuroscience developed as an undergraduate at The Ohio State University, where she carried out undergraduate research and earned Bachelor of Science Degrees in both Biochemistry and Psychology with a concentration in Biopsychology. After doing post-doctoral work at Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology in Manhattan, Dr. Johnson left research and became a founding teacher at a small school in Brooklyn that quickly became one of NYC’s top A+ rated NYC small schools. She then moved to a specialized high school in Queens where she served as department lead and lead Chemistry teacher. Dr. Johnson enjoys working with students and helping them become successful in science. She is very excited to join and be a part of the Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District community.
	Lisa Marie McDougall Ms. Lisa Marie McDougal is a chemistry teacher at Oyster Bay High School. She comes from Edmund. W. Miles Middle School in Amityville where she was a Living Environment and Science Research teacher. She also taught Chemistry and the Living Environment in summer school at Oyster Bay High School. Ms. McDougal earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Loyola University and a Master of Arts in Ecology from Stony Brook University. She earned an Advanced Certification in Science Education (7-12) from the State University of New York College at Old Westbury. Ms. McDougal also earned NYS Initial Certifications in Biology and Chemistry (Grades 7-12) and an extension in General Science (Grades 7-12). Described as caring, creative, and dedicated, Ms. McDougal is a first-generation college graduate who is looking forward to getting to know her students. Ms. McDougal grew up close to Oyster Bay and often comes to the hamlet to kayak, bird watch or go hiking.
	Karla Melara Mrs. Melara is teaches ENL Living Environment, Living Environment, Chemistry, and Marine Biology. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology 7-12 Education with a minor in Chemistry at Molloy College and received her Master’s Degree in Adolescent Education at Adelphi University. Mrs. Melara considers herself a lifelong learner and is pursuing her studies in the Educational Leadership program at SUNY Stony Brook University. She previously taught at two other public schools on Long Island. She is very excited to be a part of the Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District. Entering her 20th year in education, Mrs. Melara enjoys working with students and having them be curious about the world around them. Her lessons engage learners with higher order thinking skills that integrate technology and application of knowledge. In her class, learners gain leadership skills that will allow them to be successful in the future. She is the advisor of the Science Olympiad Club at Oyster Bay High School.
	Ting Pang Ms. Pang teaches AP Physics 2 and Regents Physics at Oyster Bay High School. She received her undergraduate degree from China in Physics and Education. She graduated from CUNY Queens College Advanced Teacher Certificate Program and specialized in Secondary Physics. Ms. Pang served as a Physics teacher in China for 4 years before she joined the Oyster Bay High School faculty. She was a member of core physics teachers’ group in Zhongshan City where she taught and coached students for nationwide high school physics competitions. Her teaching and learning experiences in both US and China enabled her to engage students with multiple strategies and prepare them with solid academic foundations. She enjoys helping her students grow to be skilled thinkers and learners.
	Emily Powell Emily Powell teaches Earth Science and Astronomy. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Geology from the University of Mary Washington where she first discovered her love of minerals. She continued her education at Stony Brook University where received a Master of Science studying the behavior of heavy metals in our environment. Ms. Powell next taught in New York City for eight years where she also attended Hunter College for her master's degree in education. While sad to leave her school in NYC, Ms. Powell was excited to move back to Long Island where she grew up. Ms. Powell's goal is to encourage her students to think about the difference between knowledge acquisition and knowledge generation. She hopes to help empower her students to ask their own questions and attempt to answer them using scientific methods.
	Jill Sanborn Jill Sanborn teaches Living Environment and Marine Biology at Oyster Bay High School. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Biology at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and her Master's Degree in Adolescent Education in Biology at Long Island University - CW Post Campus. Mrs. Sanborn has taught Science 7, Living Environment, Forensic Science, Marine Biology, and Environmental Science while at Oyster Bay High School. She is also a co-advisor for the Class of 2018 and the 7th and 8th Grade Student Council. Mrs. Sanborn is very excited to work with her students and to instill a love of science in all of them.
	Andrew Schlendorf Mr. Schlendorf is a New York State Master Teacher from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania who teaches physics and engineering at OBHS. He received his undergraduate degree from Duke University in Mechanical Engineering and Material Sciences and his Masters from Teacher's College in Secondary Education specializing in physics. Mr. Schlendorf has worked in Brooklyn teaching physics and astronomy and joined the high school in 2012. Mr. Schlendorf has worked to create the engineering program and help students develop relationships with local engineers. He is the coach of the robotics team, the OysterBots. Mr. Schlendorf is excited to welcome students into his classroom and has high expectations for every student each day.
	Maria Zambuto Ms. Maria Zambuto teaches 7th grade life science, living environment, and earth science at Oyster Bay High School. She earned her Bachelor’s in Biology and Master’s of Teaching in Biology/Science at Stony Brook University. She is currently continuing her education at Stony Brook within the Science Education PhD program to improve her practice as a science teacher. During her time as a undergraduate & graduate student, Ms. Zambuto conducted plant ecology research on invasive species in the campus greenhouse. This expanded her passion for science and conducting experiments, something she hopes to instill in her students. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Zambuto enjoys spending time in nature with her rescue dog, Luna, a border-collie mix. Together, they hike, bike, kayak, and explore the outdoors. As a member of a nature-loving family, she has visited Oyster Bay every summer since she was little, often sailing on her father’s small sailboat located at the Oyster Bay Marine Center. During the winter, snowboarding is one of her other favorite hobbies. Ms. Zambuto is passionate about both science and teaching – she looks forward to working with and getting to know her students each school year!