Science Teachers & Classroom Websites
Marianna Hosking, Science Department Chair
“I teach to empower our youth, and prepare the next generation of young adults to be critical thinkers who seek to better the world around them.”
Marianna Hosking grew up in Wallingford, Connecticut and attended Lyman Hall High School. She then went to Villanova University and earned a bachelor’s degree in biology. It was there that she fell in love with teaching, as she began volunteering as a student tutor in a middle school in Philadelphia. She moved to Boston in 2006 to join Tufts University’s Urban Teaching Collaborative, and earned her Master’s degree in science education. She spent her first nine years in education teaching biology, engineering, and environmental science, and earned the Bobbie Knable Teacher of the Year award at City on a Hill, Circuit Street in 2016. After serving as lead science teacher there for two years, she decided to pursue her Master’s degree in education administration and serve as a teacher administrator. In her spare time, she enjoys running with her black lab, cooking, and traveling.
Zachary Anderson, Chemistry
“I teach to help students develop as people, learners, and citizens. I love showing them how chemistry connects to their lives and worlds while giving them the tools to ask questions and solve problems.”
Zachary Anderson grew up just outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he attended North Allegheny High School. He came to New England to attend Bates College where he completed his teacher education program. After graduating from Bates, he taught for a brief time in New Delhi, India and Terengganu, Malaysia before returning to New England, making his way to Somerville after two years teaching in New Hampshire. Zack is currently working towards his Master’s in Science Education through Montana State University. In his free time outside of school, he enjoys cycling, coaching/playing soccer, cooking, and reading.
Chris Angelli, Biology and Biotechnology
“I teach science because teaching young people about how living things work is awesome! I teach science because teaching students how to think analytically, critically, and scientifically will benefit them in life whether or not they choose to pursue science as a career.”
Chris Angelli grew up in Billerica, Massachusetts where he attended Arlington Catholic High School. He received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Assumption College in Worcester, and Master’s degrees in both clinical lab science and cell and molecular biology from the University of Rhode Island. At Somerville High School, he serves as advisor for the Junior States-People of America, Chairman of the Region IV Science Fair, and as a Biology MCAS tutor. In his spare time, he enjoys watching baseball and football, traveling, music, movies, books, and video games.
Anna Bouchard, Biology
“I teach because there is nothing more humbling and hilarious than spending your days with teenagers. I feel privileged to witness growth and development every day and watch young people figure out who they are going to be in the world. To experience this while sharing my passion for science and the natural world makes teaching biology my ideal profession.”
Anna grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. She came to Massachusetts to attend Mount Holyoke College where she earned bachelor’s degrees in biology and French. After college, Anna appraised French art and antiques at an auction house in Chicago, but she missed science dearly. In 2007 she came back to Massachusetts and earned her Master’s degree in education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, with the goal of teaching science in an urban school. For the past eight years she has taught biology in and around Boston, and this is her third year teaching biology at Somerville High School. She is happily a member of the Ninth Grade Experience program and outside of school Anna enjoys spending time with her two young children.
Lisa Curtin, Biology
“I love teaching biology because so much of the content is directly relatable to the students’ lives. I hope that students can use the experiences/tools they gain in class to explore the world outside the school walls and come up with creative solutions for problems in and out of the classroom.”
Lisa Curtin grew up in Western NY (near Rochester) and received her bachelor’s degree in biology at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Post-graduation, she spent time in the medical field and used her free time to volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters, where she realized working with teenagers was her calling. This calling brought her to Boston to obtain her Master’s in secondary science education through Boston University, which placed her at Somerville High School so she could obtain her required student teaching hours. She immediately loved the involvement of local community members, educating the diverse student body, and working with the dedicated staff. Ten years later, she still immensely enjoys being in the classroom at SHS, in addition to her other roles as the data coordinator for the Ninth Grade Experience, a member for the School Improvement Council, and the Collaborative Summer Success Program coordinator. In her spare time, you may catch site of her running the streets of Somerville as she trains to compete in ultra-marathons. She also enjoys cooking, reading, and traveling.
Michael Friedman, Physics
“I teach science because I believe both in the joy and satisfaction that come with better understanding the world around you, as well as the power that comes along with gaining problem solving and critical thinking skills.”
Michael received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and physics from Oberlin College. He came to Boston University in 2010 to study physics and began research in nanobiotechnology with aspirations of making a positive difference in the world through scientific research and teaching undergraduates. While in the Physics Department, Michael was a fellow with the GK–12 program, an NSF-funded program partnering graduate students and teachers in K-12 classrooms to enhance their curriculum, and he interned at an urban Boston public school. It was in these programs that he discovered his love of teaching high school. He eventually left BU in 2014 with Master’s degrees in both physics and teaching, with a focus on urban science education. He is currently the mentor of Somerville High School’s FIRST Robotics Team. In his spare time, he enjoys making music on the fiddle and the piano.
Peg Huben, Chemistry
"It is an honor to work with such wonderful students and their families. They rock! And remember, Chem is try!"
Peg Huben has a bachelor's degree in chemistry, and a Master's degree in computer science. She worked in the computer industry for 20 years before switching to teaching in 1999. At SHS, she serves as the Science MCAS Coordinator, the advisor of the Green Club, and is a member of the School Improvement Council.
Brian Kennedy, Chemistry
“If you get an email back from me, chances are you will see at the bottom of the message: an expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field. Teaching tough subjects like chemistry gives students opportunity to expand their knowledge, but just as importantly, get their first taste at what it takes to become an expert!”
Brian Kennedy grew up in Maryland outside of Washington DC. He came to the Boston area to complete school at Northeastern University for a bachelor’s in biology, as well as run for NU’s cross country and track teams. After working for several years in biotechnology around Boston, he returned to school at Boston University to get a Master of Arts in Teaching Science Education, with a specialty in biology and chemistry. Brian currently is the head coach of the SHS cross country team, and spends most of his out-of-class time running and competing in local road races with the Cambridge Running Club.
Charlotte Lindblom, Physics
“I teach to broaden perspectives, create opportunities, build community, and make life more interesting for my students. I believe that learning physics helps you understand the world around you and develops important problem-solving and critical thinking skills that are helpful in any field.”
Charlotte Lindblom is from Takoma Park, Maryland, right outside Washington, DC. She received a bachelor’s degree in Physics from Mount Holyoke College in 2022, where she was also a member of the teacher licensure program. In college, she worked as a teaching assistant and tutor for the physics and math departments, which solidified her passion for teaching. She spent her summers in college interning at the National Air and Space Museum, working on an organic chicken farm, and researching statistical physics at Boston University. In her free time, you can find Charlotte running, reading fiction, or making and eating baked goods.
Mike Maloney, Physics & Engineering, Website: http://mrmaloney.com
“I left engineering to teach because I wanted to do something that helped increase the wonder and understanding of science in the general public. I also wanted to help students understand that it is cool to be a science nerd, and that understanding how science works can give them power in all aspects of their life, and make them a better-informed, critical-thinking citizen.”
Mike Maloney was born and raised in Troy, NY, the home of Uncle Sam. He received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Boston University, and worked in the field until he started teaching physics at Somerville High School in 2002. Later, he earned an M.Ed. in Physics Education from the University of Massachusetts, and completed the ITOP Post-Grad Program at Boston University. Outside of teaching, he advises the Science League Competition Team, Trivia Team, the Tabletop Gaming Club, and the Animal Rights Club. In what little free time he has left, Mr. Maloney enjoys science fiction SKA shows, creating things in the FabLab, and trying to play basketball without injuring himself. He also is known for getting the initials of any students who score a 5 on the Physics AP test tattooed on his body.
Maria Maradianos, Biology
“I decided I wanted to be a biology teacher after taking biology in high school. I was immediately fascinated with how applicable the subject was to my daily life. My teacher made me love biology because she was so passionate about it. I want to have the same impact on others. I want my students to understand how important biology is and I hope to instill in them a passion in science, just like my biology teacher did in me.”
Maria Maradianos grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts, but both of her parents immigrated here from Greece. She attended Boston University where she earned a bachelor's degree in science education with a concentration in biology. She started teaching at Somerville High School in 2013 and has taught CP and Honors Biology, SEI Biology and Pre-Biology, and Biotechnology I and II. She has also coached the freshmen girls’ soccer team and is the current advisor for the Study Buddies Club. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in education at Boston University. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, playing soccer, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
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Cristian Medina, Physics
“I teach science to empower young minds with the tools to contribute to society while fulfilling their need for curiosity. I want students to think critically about the world we live in.”
Cristian Medina is from Arica, Chile, a city located in the driest desert in the world. He completed his undergraduate education in the School of Mathematics and Engineering at the University of Chile in Santiago, where he earned a degree in geology. He subsequently earned a Master of Science and Ph.D. in geological sciences from Indiana University, Bloomington and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Boston University. Before becoming a teacher, Dr. Medina worked as a research scientist for the Indiana Geological and Water Survey and the MIT Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences. He enjoys collaborating with community organizations and has developed geology workshops for Latino elementary and high school students, hosted Spanish speaking radio shows, and organized handmade book workshops, chess tournaments, community meditation sessions, and poetry readings. He is always looking for ways to bring people together. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, reading poetry, fixing bikes, and spending time with his wife and son.
Maureen Quigley, Environmental Science, Oceanography, Astronomy
“I teach because it’s never boring, because teenagers make me think differently and give me hope, and because science is everywhere.”
Ms. Quigley grew up in Biddeford, Maine and earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Studies from the University of Vermont and has a Master’s in education from the University of Southern Maine. She worked as an outdoor educator in Hawaii, Maine, Rhode Island, and Alaska. Before coming to SHS in 2013, she taught science in 6th through 12th grade classrooms at schools in southern Maine and greater Boston. As hobbies, she enjoys traveling, swimming, hiking, music, reading, and being silly with her niece and nephew.
Susan Schmidt, Chemistry, Website: https://sites.google.com/site/apchemistrysomerville/
“In life and in school, I learn from my mistakes. I don’t try to be perfect, that’s impossible, but I try to continually improve by thinking and reflecting on my experiences. I think that’s where real learning is. But I also have to remember to have fun - as a chemistry teacher, that’s easy, I just do something with fire!”
Susan Schmidt grew up in Sea Isle City on the Jersey Shore (Exit 17 for NJ folks). She attended Ocean City High School, then attended Princeton University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. Though she was admitted to several graduate schools for physical chemistry, Mrs. Schmidt was tired of research by the end of her senior year and decided to try teaching instead. She taught for one year at Newton North High School after graduating from college, then decided that she needed to learn more about education, and slowly pursued a Master in Teaching for chemistry education at Tufts University. She received her M.A.T. from Tufts in 2006 after student teaching at Somerville High School under Mr. Tarello and Mr. LaGambina. She started teaching part-time at SHS in 2008 and has taught every level of chemistry. In her spare time, she spends time with her family, oversees the school garden program at her children’s elementary school, performs demonstrations at local elementary schools, reads, and volunteers at her church as a teacher and accompanist.
Sogoli Sadraeinouri, Biology
“I teach because I have always dreamed of making a difference in others’ lives by being a teacher. Since I was a young girl, I have had a real zeal for science and discussing scientific facts with others. I always enjoyed teaching students how to approach problems from different angles and helping them to understand the concepts fully.”
Sogoli Sadraeinouri received her bachelor's degree in General Biology with a minor in Business from the University of California San Diego (UC San Diego). During her undergraduate studies, she worked as an undergraduate research assistant and gained research experience in neuroscience laboratories. Her participation in research labs helped her to gain a more in-depth understanding of biology concepts and research. In addition to her research experiences, Sogoli always continued to help students by holding many one-on-one tutoring sessions with students who had distinct needs and ways of learning. In 2021 she came to Boston and earned her Master’s degree in Science Education at the Boston University School of Education, which placed her at Somerville High School, where she obtained her required student teaching hours. Her knowledge and skills helped her to design and conduct more exciting experiments as a science teacher. In her spare time, she enjoys watching movies, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
Toni Viola, Biology
“I teach to inspire a love of learning. I am fortunate to have a career that combines my passion for working with students and the study of biology. Science is not only a growing field but also a way of thinking. It offers a unique opportunity to innovate, learn from mistakes, and discover.”
Toni Viola grew up in New Milford, Connecticut and attended New Milford High School. She loved competing in science fairs and was inspired by her high school biology teacher to study science in college. She earned her bachelor's degree in Biological Science from University of Vermont. After her position as a teaching assistant at the university, she discovered her passion for working with students and teaching. Although Ms. Viola enjoyed Vermont, she moved to Boston where she completed her Master of Arts in Teaching from Boston University, specializing in Science Education. Before coming to Somerville High School, Ms. Viola worked at the Boston University Medical School as an instructor for Summer Lab, a high school laboratory course through City Lab. When Ms. Viola is not teaching, she loves to swim, spend time with family, and hike with her dog.
Become a Member of the National Honor Society
See if you meet the eligibility requirements listed below:
- Maintain a B+ overall average (3.3) in all science classes
- Enroll in science courses every year of high school
- Successfully complete or be currently enrolled in an AP or equivalent science course
- Promote science literacy through participation in at least one science-related club or activity
- Exhibit social and ethical behavior that follows the guidelines set forth by Somerville High School and the Science Department
Please see the Science National Honor Society advisor, Mr. Maloney, with any questions.
OUR MISSION
The primary goal of the Science Department of Somerville High School is to support the school's mission statement of preparing students to lead successful lives by helping them to:
- Think critically and creatively
- Work cooperatively
- Solve problems using evidence
- Communicate effectively
- Use technology effectively
- Develop skills to help them become self-directed learners
To accomplish this goal, the Science Department implements a diverse, equitable curriculum aligned to the Somerville Public Schools' standards and the Massachusetts Science Frameworks. A staff of fifteen teachers work diligently to educate students in all of our science course offerings. The teachers emphasize high expectations for all students. They create a learning environment that focuses on conceptual learning and engages students in meaningful activities that enable them to apply and communicate their knowledge. Technology is used as a tool to help all students actively learn science in an inquiry-based curriculum. The inquiry-based process uses varied instructional strategies and scientific technologies to enable students to develop as self-directed learners.