Profile: Tara Coelho,

NHS Biology & Ecology Teacher

By Andrew Rote

Newtown High School welcomed new teachers this year. Tara Coelho is a new biology and ecology teacher.

Mrs Coelho is beginning her first year as a teacher and seems excited about being a part of NHS.

“The faculty and staff are all very devoted,” she said. “There is an honest concern for the well-being of the students.”

Mrs Coelho just finished spending three months at Bristol in the Eastern High School as a student teacher. She has a degree in biology and is currently earning her master’s degree.

While Mrs Coelho notices the students longing to be back in bed until they snap out of summer mode, she is prepared to bring unique changes to their education.

“I want the kids to be more involved in the class,” she said, explaining her student-centered approach.

Mrs Coelho explained that she does not want to be a teacher who runs most of her lessons through lecture. She will use few lectures to try to teach the material in a more effective form.

In addition to just teaching the lessons, Mrs Coelho will help her students understand the relevancy of the information she is teaching. She hopes this strategy will attract more students’ interest in science.

Mrs Coelho has always known that she wanted a career in biology and making a difference in people’s lives. She has previously worked at a hospital, with doctors, and at a bio Tech Company, but none of that seemed right for her.

Originally a teacher at NHS told her about the job opening. Later she spotted an advertisement on the Internet. She submitted her resume and was interviewed by Principal William Manfredonia and the science department’s head Susan Henderson.

In addition to teaching sophomores, juniors, and seniors, Mrs Coelho would like to start an ecology club either this year or next year. She is also looking to become involved with other science clubs.

Mrs Coelho feels that she and the school are compatible and is looking forward to this being the first of many years teaching at NHS.

Mrs Coelho grew up in Shelton and now lives in Milford.