Welcome to the Hive: Math and Science Departments

Ms. Jessica Pan at the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul in April 2024. *Photo: Ms. Jessica Pan*

By ANDREW PAN and MIRANDA LIU

As the hum of excited students filled the halls this fall, among them were a few new faces in the math and science departments, eager to spark curiosity and inspire growth.

The Math department has welcomed Ms. Meghana Dutta, Ms. Jessica Hyun, Mr. Jacob Kahn, Ms. Jessica Pan, and new special education teacher Ms. Lisa Shammas, and the Science department said hello to Ms. Casey Flynn, Mr. Daniel Madden, and Mr. Jamal Stovall.

We spoke with Mr. Madden and Ms. Pan to dive into their teaching journeys and discover what they’re passionate about outside the classroom.

Ms. Pan currently teaches Algebra II for sophomores and juniors and Applications of Math for freshmen. With seven years of experience, Ms. Pan is excited to bring her knowledge and passion to the hive.

Although she is from New York, Ms. Pan attended the University of Miami, drawn to its marine biology program. However, her interests took a 180-degree turn when she discovered her passion for working with students and ended up switching her majors to psychology and sociology. She earned her master's degree in teaching at Relay Graduate School and entered the classroom through the New York City Teaching Fellows program.

For Ms. Pan, teaching isn’t just about math, it's about making an impact. “I knew I wanted to help others, whether that be animals or children,” she said. Working at an after-school program in Miami, she discovered her interest in explaining math concepts to younger kids, solidifying her decision to become a teacher.

Certain memories can leave a lasting impression. Ms. Pan recalls a moment that stands out above the rest – when she worked with a third grader in an after-school program who was struggling with fractions. Through a few weeks of persistence and hard work, the student was able to become one of the top performers in her class.

Times like these — watching students succeed at something they were previously struggling with — have greatly impacted Ms. Pan’s perspective on teaching. “These are the ‘human’ moments that I love when it comes to teaching students life skills,” she said.

Ms. Pan describes herself as flexible and adaptive when it comes to teaching. “Every class can be a little bit different, and I want to adjust and meet their needs,” she said. She brings excitement into her classroom with activities such as scavenger hunts or small group work for students who need extra practice.

Ms. Pan also has a wide range of hobbies outside of the classroom. She enjoys playing video games as well as traveling. “I just got the new ‘Mario Party Jamboree,’ and I love it,” she said. “I love meeting different people, eating different food, just being somewhere outside my bubble in New York.” Recently she visited Barcelona and Istanbul. She plans to go to San Diego to see its famous zoo this year.

Beyond teaching math, Ms. Pan has also become involved in the school community, recently taking on the role of advisor for the South Asian Culture Club. Previously, she helped with the hackathon.

Ms. Pan credits her grandmother for establishing her sense of empathy. “She really emphasized caring for other people, regardless of their background or what they experienced,” she said.

Turning to the Science department, we find Mr. Madden, who arrives at Midwood with nearly two decades of teaching experience.

Before teaching, Mr. Madden worked as a research scientist. His experience started with studying tree frog phylogeny through the Tree of Life Grant. “We did the phylogeny of North American tree frogs — basically, how different species of tree frogs are related to each other. It was pretty cool,” he said.

Later on, he transitioned to neuropsychological research on mice with Parkinson-like syndromes. “We dissected their brains and subjected them to various chemical washes to study where the neurotransmitters were present in their brain, and where they were not,” he said.

Mr. Madden initially planned on pursuing graduate school for molecular biophysics but opted for a research position instead. He found himself at a crossroads when the funding for his work ran out, but he later got an opportunity to become a teacher. “I got a job teaching with an autistic pre-K, and then my mother knew somebody who was looking for a chemistry teacher, and I said I would give it a try,” he said. “One thing just kind of led to the other, and I've been here ever since.”

Even though Mr. Madden was originally a chemistry teacher, his interest in physics has grown over the years. “Through that little dabbling, I came to realize, wow, there's a lot of awesome things you could do with this curriculum, and then over time, I grew to love it in some ways more than chemistry,” he said.

Mr. Madden’s teaching philosophy focuses on project-based learning, with experiences that allow students to work with real materials rather than learning through traditional methods. He had some skepticism at first. “I used to say to myself, ‘Oh, well, if you do all this project-based stuff, all your test scores are going to drop tremendously.’ It’s not true. Not true at all,” he said.

Outside of teaching, Mr. Madden loves spending time outdoors, especially near the water. Living in a waterfront community, Mr. Madden, who owns a boat, regularly goes swimming, boating, and fishing.

Mr. Madden has already started contributing to the school community by advising the SAT Prep Club. He is also eager to explore the school's research program, impressed with the opportunities it offers students. “The research program is absolutely amazing,” he said.

For Mr. Madden, the most rewarding part of teaching is seeing students expand their knowledge of science. He encourages students to take initiative by reaching out to professionals in the science fields or applying science to real-world situations. “Those kinds of things were very ‘aha’ kind of moments for me where I realized that this job could be so much more than just prepping for the Regents,” he said.

Mr. Madden credits his high school with shaping his passion for education. He attended Archbishop Molloy High School in Queens, where he was influenced by a strong commitment to service and giving back to others. “Taking care of younger children and people who are afflicted by various issues was always a high priority for me,” he said.

Ms. Pan and Mr. Madden’s journeys highlight the influence of personal experiences on a teacher’s passion for their work. Both educators strive to create a meaningful impact in their students’ lives that extends beyond academics, fostering values and lessons that will guide them for years to come.