Just as a small bit of catalyst can speed up a chemical reaction, it only takes one person to spark an unknown interest. Elena Ameres, a new teacher at West Essex, developed a deep love for chemistry. But it wasn’t always the same way. During her high school years, she absolutely hated science; she had no affinity for it and therefore no interest in pursuing it. However, that all changed in college, thanks to one inspiring professor.
She started off with a psych degree from Siena College, but pivoted to working for a law firm for a short period of time before returning to school and finding her way to Montclair State. It was there she decided to re-ignite her old interest in forensics. As a prerequisite, she was forced to take chemistry, and her perspective drastically changed.
“That chemistry course, my professor, was amazing,” Ameres said. “And I just decided I want to do this for younger students, because if I had had a teacher like him when I was in high school, maybe I’d be in a different spot.”
Inspired, Ameres aims to show her students that chemistry isn’t just equations and formulas; and neither is teaching it. Being a teacher comes with more responsibility than just conveying the subject. For Ameres, at least, it’s also about building a relationship with her students.
“Let’s say they have, you know, a bad day in the classroom,” Ameres said. “If I’m only focused on that and we only discuss that, then it’s not really me knowing that person as a person.”
By creating a space where she understands her students, Ameres said, she can turn challenging days into opportunities for growth and understanding, fostering a class atmosphere that inspires confidence and comfort.
She aims to prepare her students for higher level classes and education, either AP classes or eventually university, should they want to. Ultimately her goal is to create a classroom where students see learning as stepping stones, always a pace forward with every class.
“I want to help students learn how to think critically,” Ameres said. “Be able to prepare them for what they’ll see in college.”
