Career Changers on Campus
Continued from
page 1
|
 |
Melissa
Pank |
Melissa Pank, a seventh grade science teacher at Falcon
Cove Middle School in Tamarac, is another prime example
of a career changer. She worked for a decade in an optometrist’s
office while getting her bachelor’s degree in microbiology/forensics/genetics.
She had started graduate school, studying marine biology
and doing molecular research, when she decided to become
a science teacher using a two-year temporary certificate.
“I thought it would only be temporary until I found
a job in a crime lab – something I had always wanted
to do – but I’m enjoying it so much I plan on
staying,” said Melissa. “It’s a challenging
career and every day is different. The ACE program is helping
her stay in her new field. “When I was young, I skipped
school a lot. In fact, my parents now tease me that ‘the
girl who would never stay in school ended up working in
one,’” she said. Melissa’s mom is an educator
and Melissa saw how hard she worked as she was growing up.
“I now realize that if I can interest even a few students
in science, I’m making a difference. I guess you could
say I’m trying to make sure my students don’t
miss out on the learning opportunities I missed when I was
younger,” Melissa said.
 |
Marcy
Gropman |
Ramblewood Middle School seventh-grade geography teacher
Marcy Gropman’s first career was in the field of law.
A graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in
minority/majority intergroup relations, Marcy also holds
a law degree from the University of Baltimore. While in
school, she worked for Congressman Kweisi Mfume, who now
heads up the NAACP. She was even elected a delegate to the
Democratic National Convention at the ripe old age of 21!
After marrying and experiencing the challenges of public
schools with her own child, Marcy decided that teaching
would be a more meaningful career for her. “I wanted
to start putting stuff back in,” explains Marcy, “Being
a divorce attorney was destructive, by nature; being a teacher,
on the other hand, is a positive, constructive career.”
Today, she uses her mediation skills with the seventh graders
she teaches. “I’m not only teaching my students
locations and map skills, but I’m also teaching them
how to get along with one another’s cultures and their
differences. I’m imparting knowledge about justice,
fairness and equality, as well,” she said. “The
kids frequently want me to solve their disputes and have
mock trials. I work hard to instill character in these kids
and reward them with things like homework passes when they
show spontaneous signs of good character,” said Marcy.
“I make them understand that their reputation for
truthfulness is an extremely important character trait and
one that will follow them for the rest of their lives. My
days
Doctor, lawyer, Indian chief … you just never know
who might become a teacher in their second careers. For
additional information about the ACE program, please contact
Charles Venin at (954) 382-6250.
