The Academy for Science and Design recently started its 10th year of operations, continuing to receive national recognition for excellence and advancing from 50th to 44th in the nation in Newsweek’s America’s Top High Schools (out of 28,000 high schools).

This academic year, the school was fortunate enough to add additional faculty positions that will only help the students achieve greatness at this studious institute.

These individuals bring relevant industry experience, the finest practices in teaching known to New England, and captivating experiences that will engage and educate the students.

We are delighted to have these accomplished professionals teaching at our faculty.

The new additions to the humanities curriculum include Ellie Kaufman and Emily Fee. Kaufman has teaching practicum experience at Newton South High School and Fenway High School. Fee completed a B.A. from Worcester State University with a major in history and a minor in secondary education.

Camille Biafore, Alexandra Hytner and Christine Rohr joined the mathematics and engineering sector. Biafore was previously a faculty member of Southern New Hampshire University and has extensive knowledge in information systems. Rohr received a BAS from Bentley and will be teaching sixth grade. Hytner’s previous experience includes being a teacher at John Stark Regional High School.

"As a teacher in a new school, the beginning of the school year can be just an intimidating as it’s for new students," Hytner said. "However, all of my nerves were eliminated when the ASD faculty and students eagerly shared their pride in their school and their passion for learning with me.

"The atmosphere fosters an excitement about education that was lacking in previous schools," she said. "I am proud to be apart of this community and look forward to building on what has already been a successful year."

Carolyn Perez and Susan Mack will join the science curriculum. Perez has a B.A. in biology and worked for five years as a biology instructor at Saint Anselm College. Mack taught at Nashua Catholic Regional High School and Nashua High School North and is a NASA Fellow.

Janice Caywood and Joseph Tissot will be part-time teachers in aerospace and Spanish, respectively. Caywood brings a wealth of experience, as she carries a CAS from Harvard University, and a B.S. in civil engineering from Carnegie-Mellon. She has been a commercial airline pilot with 1,000-plus hours and has been honored with a multitude of awards due to her volunteering work and aerospace experience. Tissot completed a B.A. in liberal studies and French from Cabrini College in Radnor, Pa., and had been employed as a long-term substitute in French and Spanish.

All the faculty and students are elated about the new teachers.

"They are natural with the students’ learning style, are open-minded, and often bring various resources to make never-before-seen, real-world applications," sophomore Aisling Macaraeg said. "They bring a new type of novelty to ASD with their friendly demeanors."

Nathan Yeung is a sophomore at the Academy for Science and Design in Nashua.