Maiah Islam’21
Photo courtesy of Episcopal Academy
With three teachers departing and a new head entering, the science department will undergo significant alterations for the 2019-2020 school year. The science teachers leaving the Upper School include Dr. Kelley Bethoney, Matthew Shapiro, Perry Zanki, and Stephen Kerwin. Specifically, independent research opportunities will change. Additionally, the department will also merge with middle school, and Grace Limaye will assume the role of department head from George Lorenson.
Shapiro, who taught Honors Biology, Chemistry, and a neuroscience elective is heading to Germantown Friends School. He says he is leaving EA because “the commute will be a lot shorter.” The long commute is also a reason why Dr. Bethoney is leaving, “I live in New Jersey so the commute will be considerably less hectic and a lot shorter than it is to make it to EA,” she says. Bethoney taught Anatomy and Physiology and Biology and led the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science club at EA. Zanki, who is also leaving, taught Chemistry and AP Environmental Science. Kerwin taught physics and Oceanography and while he will remain at EA, he is moving to the Middle School.
In addition to the commute, both Shapiro and Bethoney want to embrace new challenges. Shapiro says, “I feel like a lot of times, at least in my career, I just need to change things, so just to do something new, new challenges.” Bethoney further explains, “It really makes me sad to leave here but I know that new opportunities will be on the horizon and so I’m excited for that but also really sad to leave Episcopal.”
Even though losing three teachers is a devastating loss, it is an even greater loss for the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) branch at EA, which was headed by Bethoney. Bethoney says that PJAS, “is really more than just a club. It’s a collective of kids who really want to explore science.”
Yvonne Chen ‘21, a member of PJAS, describes Bethoney as “the fearless leader rallying the troops.” Bethoney hopes she leaves a legacy of “driving to question the world around you and the phenomena that govern that world. I hope the students continue to find an interest within the science realm that they love and investigate that interest.” Many students who are involved in PJAS are upset about her departure. Chen says, “I’m a little sad she’s leaving, but at the same time, I’m happy for her. I think that’s the general consensus around PJAS, given her large role in a major part of our academic life. Personally, I’m kind of nervous– she’s my advisor, and I’ll have to find my way both in PJAS and school at large next year.” Matthew Habtezgi ‘21, expressed similar sentiments saying, “Dr. Bethony’s rigor and expertise made her into a role model and a mentor. Her leaving will be a big loss.”
As for who is going to be taking over PJAS when Dr. Bethoney is gone, that is still unknown. “It’s being discussed right now. There are definitely plans in place that I don’t think I can quite share,” Bethoney says. Though there is currently no set leader, Bethoney encourages older PJAS students to mentor younger ones, “I know that I leave PJAS in good hands with my colleagues in the science department. I know that, coupled with the kids that are in it now who can help mentor the younger kids, I have full confidence that it will be awesome.” She reiterates the importance of student participation in the guidance of PJAS. “The students who will be coming up through the ranks and will be helping the younger PJAS students have been well trained.” Chen says, “Without a doubt, her leaving will affect PJAS as a whole next year… it will be hard for a teacher to fill her shoes.”
Among the many changes that will occur in both PJAS and the science department as a whole, there is one thing Bethoney hopes does not waver: “I hope that the interest and the overall spark to love science, to know that there isn’t always an answer key, or to know that you’re the one who’s in the driver’s seat. I hope that that exploratory nature isn’t lost.”