11 BRONX WEEKLY December 15, 2019 www.BXTimes.com
Bronx teacher wins award for
Transforming Science Education
BY JASON COHEN
A Bronx teacher was recently the recipient
of a prestigious award for science
education in the NYC.
On Wednesday, December 11, Aida
Rosenbaum, who teaches earth science
and AP environmental science at the
Bronx Latin School, 800 Home Street, was
one of seven teachers recognized at the
city’s 11th Annual Sloan Awards for Excellence
in Teaching Science and Mathematics
in New York City Public High
Schools.
The awards ceremony was held at the
Great Hall at Cooper Union. Each winner
received $5,000 and their respective
school’s science or mathematics department
got $2,500 towards strengthening
their program.
“It feels very surprising; surreal almost,”
Rosenbaum said. “Going into this
fi eld, you don’t expect to get awarded or
recognized.”
Rosenbaum, 39, who has been teaching
for 16 years, grew up in Washington
Heights, but today resides in Riverdale.
She told the Bronx Times that teaching
runs in her family. Her mother, Marian
Brady, was an educator for many years,
her sister, Leola Brady Price is an English
as a Second Language (ESL) teacher and
her husband, Dan Rosenbaum, is also an
earth science teacher.
She followed in her mom’s footsteps
and enjoys what she does for a living. However,
she originally wanted to be a scientist,
but eventually realized teaching has
much more an impact on students.
“She defi nitely taught me from the
beginning that you have to take care of
children and children are fi rst, no matter
what’s going on in your career,” she said.
She earned her B.A. in Environmental
Studies from Mount Holyoke College
in South Hadley, Mass., and her M.P.A. in
Earth System Science, Policy and Management
from Columbia University.
“I became a teacher when I realized basic
knowledge about science is lacking,”
she commented. “I fortunately had a lot of
wonderful teachers growing up.”
Science always fascinated her, she
said. She spent her summers in day camp
exploring nature and loved it.
As she got older she saw the importance
of educating children about climate
change, the environment and environmental
justice.
She is also the Science Department
team leader, a facilitator of the Youth
Court, the Gardening Club teacher, a
coach of new-teacher mentors, the school
EDTech specialist and a member of the
Learning Partners Program working to
share best practices between schools.
“I love science,” she stressed. “I think
teaching earth science is amazing. Teaching
climate change has been a big part of
my day.”
According to Rosenbaum, the award
came as a total surprise. She found out
her principal Annette Fiorentino nominated
her and fi ve of her colleagues and
three students spoke on her behalf.
Rosenbaum noted that her family and
students attended the award ceremony.
“To get recognition and to get prize
money, honestly I’m fl attered,” she said.
Aida Rosenbaum, an earth sciecne teacher at
the Bronx Latin School, was honored on Dec. 11
for Excellence in Teaching Science and Mathematics
in New York City Public High Schools Photo
Courtesy Julia Discenza
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