A Medford Memorial Middle School teacher took a step into the limelight at last night’s Board of Education reorganization meeting.
Superintendent Joseph Del Rossi introduced Vicky Gorman to the audience and recognized her for three achievements that she has received regarding her science classes at the school.
While her three achievements are all separate, the general theme isn’t just about teaching children in a classroom. It’s about bringing a real scientific approach to people throughout the Medford community.
“The middle school students are helping top improve the scientific literacy in the community,” Gorman said.
This community-based approach is what the school’s Citizen Science Education Program is all about. Gorman stated the students are working on projects outside of the classroom to improve everyone’s understanding of how the earth works, particularly when it relates to weather.
This program has helped Gorman in receiving a Distinguished K-12 Teacher award from the American Meteorological Society. She will attend the society’s national convention in Atlanta as part of the award.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has also named Gorman a climate steward. She said that being a climate steward will allow her to work on professional development to create even better projects to the community.
Gorman will also receive honors at the National Science Teachers Association’s conference in Boston in the spring.
For her, the next step is improving the school’s communication with the community and promoting the work that the students are doing outside of the school walls.
“We have to continue to create community outreach,” she said.
In Other News:
• The reorganization meeting saw a new member join the Board of Education. David Bermingham was sworn in as the newest board member. Reelected board members Michael Etter and Katherine Busca were also sworn in. Bermingham defeated former board vice president Trudy Cole in last November’s election.
Etter was chosen to retain his role as president of the board. Katherine Santamore was the unanimous choice as the board’s new vice president, taking over for Cole.
• Two revised policies were passed on second reading by the board. The revisions were made to the attendance policy to be in compliance with Department of Education guidelines. The policy on research projects by staff members was a routine police update.
• The next Medford Board of Education meeting will be on Jan. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the Medford Memorial Middle School.
