By Hector Flores
The award ceremony took place March 22 at Town of Hempstead Hall. Town Supervisor Kate Murray presented Parlagreco with the award, describing her as a teacher who "understands the importance of a good education, not only for the children in her chemistry classes at Mepham High School, but for her colleagues as well."
What made Parlagreco stand out was her effective teaching strategies, including cooperative learning, laboratory demonstrations and group projects, which, Murray said, make lessons exciting and fun for students.
The supervisor also said that Parlagreco stimulates critical thinking in her students and has an uncanny ability to motivate reluctant learners. "She has done chemistry demonstrations for elementary-school students that make them eager to take chemistry when they reach high school," Murray said. Parlagreco also created a forensic science course that has become a popular elective at Mepham.
Parlagreco's instruction isn't limited to her students. She is also known to help her fellow educators in the Bellmore-Merrick High School district, Nassau BOCES and Queens high schools. "As project facilitator of the 600-page BOCES Chemistry Core Curriculum Resource Guide, Josephine worked with two dozen teachers to help create lesson plans keyed to the new state standards," Murray said. "Her innovative curriculum materials are being used at high schools across the county, state and nation."
Keri Speicher, a Mepham High junior, said that Parlagreco is deserving of the award because she is a hands-on instructor. "I had her for honors chemistry in 10th grade and now for 11th grade Advanced Placement chemistry," she said. "She is very patient and understanding and is liked by all her students."
Parlagreco's commitment to education has garnered her many accolades, including the American Chemical Society's Nichols Chemistry Teacher Award, Bellmore-Merrick's Anne Crowley Professional Development Award, the H. Tennant Award, the January 2005 Dowling College/News 12 Educator of the Month Award and recognition in the "Who's Who Among American Teachers."
In addition to her classroom work, Parlagreco is an adviser to Mepham's "A World of Difference" program, which focuses on tolerance and character education. She is also president of the Nassau chapter of the Science Teachers Association of New York State; a coordinating member of the New York State Chemistry Mentor Network; an executive board member of the Chem-Union, the Long Island Chemistry Teachers' Association; a Brownie troop leader; and a member of St. Barnabas Church's Pre-Cana team.
Comments about this story? HFlores@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 283.
