Q&A: Mrs. Magdelinskas

by Roselyn Medina
Mrs. Magdelinskas is a biology teacher at Nottingham High School. She has been on several field trips and has experienced many things during her years of teaching. She formerly taught marine biology but has since switched to biology.
Roselyn: How would you describe yourself?
Mrs. Magdelinskas: Approachable (my goal anyway), quiet and reserved, driven, a perfectionist, and quite a bit type A at times.
 
Roselyn: What was your favorite experience in class?
Mrs. Magdelinskas: I cannot say that I have just one favorite experience in class. It is always good when you see that your students are actually learning from an activity, that labs work the way they should so that you students see what you want them to see. I enjoy getting to know my students and find that taking the time to interact with them and help them learn actually is part of why I enjoy teaching. I enjoy working with teenagers.  

Roselyn: Where was your favorite field trip destination?
Mrs. Magdelinskas: The Marine Biology Key Largo trip is the best field trip I have ever chaperoned. We spent 5 days learning about the different Florida Keys habitats and their inhabitants. The students snorkeled in the mangroves and out at the coral reefs during the day, and then participated in labs and lectures to learn about each new habitat they would visit the next day. These are experiences not easily replicated outside of a trip such as this.

Roselyn: Why did you choose to teach in the science field?
Mrs. Magdelinskas: I have always enjoyed science and math, particularly biology. It was my favorite class in middle school and high school.

Roselyn: When did you start teaching?
Mrs. Magdelinskas: I thought about teaching when I graduated from college but did not have my certification and was just unsure of exactly what career I wanted to pursue. My first job out of college was working in the CHOP Clinical Labs. After earning my MBA and trying a couple of different career paths, I decided I missed science. So I got my secondary education teaching certification and I have now been teaching for 17 years. 

Roselyn: What was your favorite year teaching?
Mrs. Magdelinskas: I do not have a favorite year as I find I always enjoy my classes. Each year is different but no less enjoyable. I like what I do. However, I am excited and relieved that we are all back in the building. While virtual learning provided some truly positive experiences working with students, last year was my least favorite year.