The science teachers at New Providence High School have had interesting lives before they accepted a position as teachers. Each one is different, so let’s take a look at how some of them got to NPHS.

Mr. Cabrera

Mr. Cabrera, a current teacher at New Providence High School, has taught Environmental Sustainability and Biology. He likes to teach his students to have interest in animal welfare. When he was younger, he wanted to be a veterinarian but decided, halfway through college, that he wanted to be a teacher to inspire others to become veterinarians. He has previously worked as a cheese maker and a vet tech/farm hand to have firsthand knowledge on animals. He went to college at Rutgers University and his undergraduate degree was in animal science while his graduate education was in science education.

Mr. McGeechen

Mr. McGeechen is a PLTW Aerospace Engineering and Principles of Engineering teacher at New Providence High School. He has always liked science and it was his strong suit in high school, but what really motivated him to become a science teacher was coaching. He worked as a volunteer coach for a PAL recreation program, where he coached football. He enjoyed coaching, so much he realized that coaching was what he wanted to do in his life. When choosing his major at Kutztown University, he felt that he would do best with secondary education and science/chemistry. He also got a Bachelor of Science in Education with a concentration in chemistry and a Master’s in Educational Technology. Chemistry has always come easy to him and he enjoys working in an environment where he could use his strengths.

Mr. Mase

Mr. Mase is a Honors Biology and Human Physiology teacher at New Providence High School. Teaching at NPHS is his first full time position, but he has previously worked as a biology teacher at Morristown High School, and Mendham High School. He wanted to become a science teacher because he enjoys talking and learning about science. He attended Gannon University with a major in biology and a focus on pre-med.  He hasn’t always wanted to be a science teacher, but he is glad to be working at NPHS.

Ms. Fintz

Ms. Fintz teaches AP Biology, Honors Biology, Oceanography, and Marine Biology. Some of her working experiences include working in the concert hall of Drew University as their technical director for four years. She has a lot of science experience including research in Umbria, Italy, and Belize. In these places she has studied skeletons and tropical marine ecology. She also did a five year research project looking at the small mammal community in deer. She enjoys doing hands-on research and experiments and wants to make science fun for her students. Ms. Fintz attended Drew University for her undergraduate degree, where she double majored in biology and anthropology, and she got her Master’s degree in secondary education there.

Mrs. Lester

Mrs. Lester, a science teacher at New Providence High school has always had interest in science, and has a background in teaching and working with children. She previously taught biology and environmental science at Bayonne High School for nine years and before that had jobs which were with children such as camp counselor. Mrs. Lester’s interest in science began during high school by inspiring teachers and later her work with animals in college, particularly horses. Initially, she considered a career in nursing, but she later decided to pursue a masters in secondary education at New Jersey City University after Rutgers University where she majored in animal science.

Ms. Magnani

Ms. Magnani, a science teacher at New Providence High school always wanted to be a teacher ever since middle school. She  attended Kean University, majoring in math education. She was initially motivated to teach math but then developed an interest in science during a STEM program. She got the certification to work in science, and then worked full time as a math teacher in middle schools in Perth Amboy and Edison for a couple of years. She then transitioned to being a science teacher and ended up in New Providence high school.

Mrs. Pasuit

Mrs. Pasuit, a science teacher at New Providence High school, had a diverse background in science. She worked as a forensics anthropologist in Indiana and at UMDNJ at Rutgers.  She also worked out of the pharmacology and physiology department, focusing on dopamine brain research with cell line models and animal models. Mrs. Pasuit also has experience in developing science curriculum for preschoolers and teaching computer science at St. Joseph’s Catholic school. Motivated by the desire for a better work-life balance after having her first child, she transitioned to teaching students to inspire them and to help them grow into great scientists. She achieved her undergrad at the University of Albany in human biology. Then from there she went to the University of Indianapolis for her Master’s degree, also in human biology. Now she  is currently pursuing an EdD in policy and educational research at Seton Hall.

Ms. French

Ms. French, a science teacher at New Providence High school has had many jobs before this one. Before becoming a teacher, Ms. French worked as a lifeguard and swim coach, as a caterer for her dad’s business, and in several restaurants. She initially wanted to pursue a career in healthcare, specifically as a surgeon. She had reconsidered her career path and gained motivation from her mother, who was a biochemist. Ms. French attended Montclair State University, where she majored in geology. She earned a geoscience degree and obtained a certification on geoscience and space sciences for K-12 classes. Ms. French spent six years in Newark teaching Special Education before coming to New Providence.