Alisha Sabnis
Staff Writer
Bernstein is a new science teacher at Westford Academy. She is currently teaching freshmen, juniors, and seniors. Her classes include biology and marine biology.
Q: Did you always want to be a teacher?
A: Since I was in college, I knew I wanted to be a teacher.
Q: What inspired you to be a teacher?
A: I always loved biology. And, I think some of my favorite moments were learning new topics and experimenting with them and I wanted to continue doing that with students of my own.
Q: Which grades do you teach?
A: I have freshmen, juniors and seniors this year.
Q: Which classes do you teach?
A: Freshmen biology and, junior and senior marine biology. I always loved biology but I’ve always been fascinated by the oceans and the organisms that reside there and how similar and different they are to land so I enjoy teaching it.
Q: Would you ever consider teaching another subject/class?
A: I’ve taught anatomy before so I enjoy teaching components within biology. I enjoy marine biology, anatomy, and AP bio, genetics.
Q: What do you think of WA so far?
A: It’s wonderful, it’s more than what I expected. I was teaching for twelve years in a different district and, so parts of teaching remain the same and parts are new and refreshing.
Q: How does your high school compare to WA?
A: When I was a senior, I got my first cell phone and email address. I think technology has certainly changed so socially it’s very different. As for the classroom experience, I don’t think much has changed. I think the best ways to learn have always been through discussion and in science, doing experimentation so I don’t think that’s changed. I think socially more things have changed in terms of communication and keeping track of your friends.
Q: What were your hobbies growing up?
A: You know, my parents always made us turn off the tv and made us go outside and not come inside till it was dark and we were hungry so I think I enjoyed that. In highschool, I enjoyed tennis. I enjoyed cooking, I like food and I really enjoy trying out new foods.
Q: Have you ever travelled outside the U.S?
A: This summer, I took a trip to the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean. It was beautiful, it was exciting to bring my children to experience the Caribbean. See the diversity within the water, a new culture. It was good for both culturally and in terms of biology. I do love the marine sciences so it was fun to be able to take my kids on a glass sided boat tour and go snorkeling. I enjoy traveling quite a bit. I went to Europe when I was in college, fifteen years ago. I like to experience new cultures and I have a sense of adventure.
