Ken Fusco and John Girard
Submitted: September 12th, 2022
I would like to recognize two PHS Science teachers, Mr. Ken Fusco, Science Department Instructional Leader, and Mr. John Girard. This teaching duo has worked side by side for many years, and although I know that Mr. Fusco’s first science love is the study of all things that live under and around the water, and Mr. Girard has a passion for anatomy and human biology, they both teach and inspire students in a number of ways, both in the classroom and outside the school walls. Mr. Fusco teaches biology and marine biology. Mr. Girard teaches ECE Biology, Anatomy and Physiology and Pathology, and Forensics. Through their position as teachers, they and other science teachers have inspired countless students to pursue college programs with a science focus. Mr. Girard also leads the Science National Honor Society, which recognizes students who work hard and succeed at a high level in the sciences, while also meeting the other requirements of that national organization. The focus of their nomination as PCS All Stars is because of their recent efforts with surrounding colleges and recent graduates to build a vision for advancing the Science Department and to create bridges and pathways for better understanding of the skills our students need to succeed at the college level. Their work also builds bridges of opportunity to help expand college credit programs and pathways. In alignment with the district’s focus on College and Career Pathways, Mr. Fusco and Mr. Girard took the initiative to reach out to Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) and Tunxis Community College to obtain information about how our students have performed in science courses over the past few years and what skills our students need to be successful in those classes. Mr. Girard also took the time to speak with recent nursing school graduate, Sydney McGough, to reflect on her preparation for a career in nursing and to discuss possible coursework for high school students that would help them to better prepare for a medical career and more specifically, a career in nursing. In their work with CCSU and Tunxis, Ken and Dave are exploring possible pathways that can be developed for science majors and/or careers. Based on some of their research and college instructor interviews, they put together a presentation which was shared with district administrators and instructional leaders. Their presentation outlined the specific strengths and areas of needs for Plainville High School graduates enrolled at Tunxis, as well as actual performance data. The PHS Science Department members reviewed the performance data and are using that information to amend and revise their curriculum, expected learning outcomes, and instructional practices. This type of work shows the passion these two educators have for ensuring our students have relevant coursework to allow them to choose a science pathway of interest and have the preparation necessary to be successful. Mr. Fusco and Mr. Girard have also researched the courses the University of Connecticut has to offer in the field of Allied Health Sciences, with the possibility of offering UConn coursework in this field as well. We look forward to the dual enrollment offerings and science pathway opportunities this work will lead to, and also as a model for other departments to follow to increase our educational opportunities here in Plainville.
Nominated by: Steven LePage