West Islip High School Educator Named NY Master Teacher

WEST ISLIP, NY - A West Islip High School educator was recently named a New York State Master Teacher. Brian Haldenwang, who has been teaching at the school for the past 15 years, was among 228 educators from 129 statewide school districts chosen by Governor Andrew Cuomo to join the State Master Teacher Program.

The Master Teachers are educators who specialize in science, technology, computer science, robotics, coding, engineering, math and integrated STEM courses across grades K-12. Haldenwang earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from Stony Brook University and then went on to get his master’s in education from Dowling College.

Before he started teaching, he worked as a biochemist with Enteric Products Inc. where he did research on H. pylori infection.

Now, Haldenwang teaches International Baccalaureate higher level biology and human anatomy and physiology. He also serves as the IB extended essay coordinator as well as the Students Acting for the Environment club adviser. He is an active member of the Science Teachers Association of New York and Educational Ambassador for the Half Earth Project. Haldenwang handles the planning for the annual Day in the Life of a River project and serves as the PASCO Scientific liaison for the West Islip Science Department.

Even year, he attends and contributes to IB roundtable meetings for biology and extended essay to stay current with best pedagogical practices and curriculum changes. He also serves as an external examiner for IB biology exams.

"As a NYS Master Teacher, I plan to broaden my content knowledge and pedagogical skills by collaborating with other Master Teachers," Haldenwang said.

Congratulations to Brian Haldenwang!