Shining a Light On . . . Caroline Maldonado

In her second year as SAA-SDS Lower School Science teacher, Caroline Maldonado loves being able to walk into any classroom on either Lower School hallway and know each student by name. She is energetic and passionate about science and provides an experiential learning experience for all her students.

We would love for you to take some time to get to know Mrs. Maldonado, who feels embraced by the SAA-SDS community and excited about the opportunities-and challenges-her position holds.

How long have you been a teacher?

This is my second year at SAA-SDS, but my fifth year of teaching.

What is your educational background?

I received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Memphis (Go Tigers!) and my Master of Education from Union University.

Why did you want to become an educator?

It took me a long time to decide that I wanted to become an educator. I had many different career paths I thought I would follow while getting my biology degree, but teaching didn't occur to me until after graduation. I started subbing at a school and realized how much I loved being in the classroom. Once I had that "aha moment", there was no looking back, I was bound for teaching!

You are in a unique role at the school, teaching both genders and multiple age levels. What is most challenging about that and what is the best part?

The most challenging part of my position would be switching my mindset between classes. You talk to 6th graders very differently from how you talk to 1st graders. Similarly, a classroom full of girls is different from a classroom full of boys, so sometimes you have to approach a lesson in different ways to both pique and keep student interest!

The BEST part of my job is getting to know every student in the entire Lower School and knowing I could walk into any classroom and call them each by name. This year, being my second at school, I have also been blown away by how much each class has grown and changed from the previous year. It is so rewarding to see them come back to science class, ready to learn something new and challenge themselves.

What makes the science department/curriculum at SAA-SDS special? What are your goals for the lower school science department?

Being the sole science teacher in the Lower School makes their learning experience so unique because nothing gets lost in translation from year to year. I know where they ended the previous year, and I know where to take them the next.

The new Math and Science building also creates a wonderful environment that encourages study and exploration in each grade. The students LOVE coming to our building, and I think mostly because it sets the tone for the experiments they work on! My big goal right now is to bring back the Science Fair!

What do you hope to accomplish in your job?

As a science teacher, I obviously want to share my love of science with the students and teach them as much as possible. However, I am realistic and know that not every student will love science as much as I do, and that is absolutely okay; we all have our strong suits. So, what I really aspire to accomplish is to create a classroom environment where students feel safe and secure enough to learn and try without judgment and can't wait to come back and learn the next lesson. 

What do you enjoy most about your job?

My favorite part of my job is seeing the "light bulbs" turn on. When I am teaching a lesson that is maybe a little more challenging or requires more critical thinking and the students start to understand, I see the imaginary light bulbs above their heads light up because something I said clicked, and it all starts to make sense!

What is the most important life lesson you want students to learn?

In science, or any kind of research, it is important to remain objective. No matter what experiment we work on, I always tell them, "There is always a possibility this might not work, and that's okay." There is no such thing as the perfect experiment where you get the results you want every time. What is most important is not the results you get, but how you share them with the world.

You can still learn from unexpected or inconclusive results, and you either need to try again or try something different. If you are honest and don't change the results to reflect what you wanted to happen, the experiment was not a waste of time. This isn't important just in the scientific method; it applies to everyday life. There is no such thing as a wasted moment in life. There is always something to learn or take away, and what you do with that matters, so make it count.

Which of the Dominican Pillars-Study, Prayer, Community, Service-is supported most by your role here, or which one impacts you the most/means the most to you?

It is hard to choose just one pillar because they all work together so beautifully, but if I had to, I think Community has impacted me the most. As a teacher, Study is obviously very important to me, but I feel like that is a given; that is what I signed up for when I became a teacher. What I didn't know I signed up for was the most supportive and inclusive community, both faculty and students! I was welcomed in with open arms, and I have felt so loved since joining the SAA-SDS team. I work with the best staff, and I teach the best students!

What are you most grateful for?

Well, I'm not sure if you mean personally or professionally, but either way, I will have to say my husband. The love and support he gives me is invaluable, and he makes me a better (saner) person! The life we share at home (with our dog) allows me to come to work and be the teacher I need to be. On the good or bad days, I know he is a constant I can rely on to celebrate the wins with and support me on a day that feels hard. 

What are your interests outside of the classroom? What are you particularly passionate about?

Outside of school, I love to spend time with friends and family, especially at the lake house! I love to read all genres of books, my favorite being World War II novels. I was also recently appointed to the Board of Directors for the Proteus Syndrome Foundation, where I dedicate my time to helping plan and execute fundraisers and medical conferences. Proteus Syndrome is a condition caused by a genetic mutation which involves atypical growth of the bones, skin and head, as well as a variety of other symptoms. I am passionate about continuing funding for research and ongoing clinical trials at the NIH for this extremely rare and fascinating genetic disorder.