The Column

At WHSAD, students are exposed to various activities which are often integrated into classes.   Among the activities that students have been participating in recently is origami with Make: STEAM educator, Kate Yourke. Beginning on May 6th, this activity was included in the daily schedule as Ms. Yourke collaborated with students to create pieces and teach design applications. In order to realize the work students produced, Ms. Yourke taught a 4-class curriculum organized by aspects of origami.  To view North Brooklyn Community News' article on the event, click here During Class 1, students were introduced to Yin and Yang, a Chinese philosophy that complete opposites hold a position to balance each other out, even when … [Read more...]

 Who are you? My name is Mr. Giambrone (Mr. G), and I am currently the AP Environmental Science teacher in addition to one of the Earth Science teachers this year. This is currently my second year of teaching, and I couldn’t be more thankful to have started my teaching career here at WHSAD. I grew up in Lindenhurst, NY - a town in Suffolk County on Long Island. It was in Lindenhurst High School where I figured out that I never wanted to leave high school. So, I thought to myself that there was no better way to accomplish this then to become a teacher! From there, I went on to receive my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Hofstra University. In this picture, I (on the left) am standing here with former student, Dajour Williams (’20), … [Read more...]

This article is an overview of the Freshmen Spanish and AP Spanish Language & Culture classes. Below, Spanish teacher, Ms. Viscarra talks about what the two classes will cover and what to expect. Who are you?  My name is Ms. Viscarra, I am the Spanish teacher for 9th graders, but I also have the pleasure of teaching Regents level Spanish to the 11th and 12th graders. I have been teaching Spanish for the past 7 years, 5 of those years at WHSAD. I was born and raised in Ecuador, and I moved to the United States at 18 years old. I obtained my Education degree at Stony Brook and got my master's degree in TESOL at Long Island University. I am proud to say that I am the cool aunt to my beautiful 8 nieces and nephews. I have 2 … [Read more...]

This article is an overview of the Pre-Calculus class. Below, Pre-Calculus teacher, Mr.Baldwin talks about what the class covers and what to expect. Who are you? I am Colley Baldwin. I'm originally from Trinidad & Tobago. Degrees: BS in Mathematical Physics (CUNY Baccalaureate Program); MS in Physics (Penn State University); MS in Science Education (Pace University). Teaching over 20 years; 15 yrs with WHSAD, I teach Physics & Precalculus. What are students doing online and how does it differ from when we were in person? Online: The students moved at a much slower pace. Seems like Covid "depression" set in at times.  In-person: Students tend to be more attentive and participate more. Students compete … [Read more...]

This article is an overview of Chemistry class. Below, Chemistry teacher, Ms. Ostashevsky talks about what the class will cover and what to expect. Who are you? I am a chemistry teacher. I've been teaching for 5 years. Before coming to WHSAD the previous fall, I spent 3 years at a charter school in the South Bronx. I like teaching in a Brooklyn public school because I am also a product of one, having grown up in the borough. My class covers introductory topics in Chemistry. Being familiar with the periodic table of elements, common compounds, and how reactions happen can help you understand what happens below the surface in much of our world. Chemistry is called the "central science." It'll help you understand subjects like biology, … [Read more...]

This article is an overview of the Sophomore Spanish and AP Spanish Language and Culture classes. Below, Spanish teacher, Ms. Soto talks about what the two classes will cover and what to expect. Who are you? I am Ms. Soto. I have been teaching Spanish for 10 years. In my first 3 years, I taught in Washington State. I've been at WHSAD for 7 years, where I have been teaching the 2nd year Spanish class and the AP Spanish Language & Culture class. I was born in the Dominican Republic and came to NYC when I was 14 years old. I was raised in the Bronx, but I have lived in Queens for the last 5 years to be closer to our school. I received my Bachelor's Degree in Spanish at Alfred University and got my Dual Master's … [Read more...]

This article is an overview of the Junior English class. Below, English teacher, Mr. Rodriguez talks about what the class will cover and what to expect for juniors. Who are you?I am the other Mr. Rodriguez, not the cool Architecture & Design Mr. Rodriguez, the cool JuniorEnglish Mr. Rodriguez. I have been teaching for 17 years. In my first 8 years I taught English andcoached the varsity football team at Automotive High School and in my last 9 years I have beenteaching Junior English at WHSAD. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, attended andplayed baseball and football at Midwood High School, and received my Bachelor’s Degree inEnglish/Education and Master’s Degree in English Literature. I am blessed to have a beautifulwife … [Read more...]