Meet High School science teacher Vincent Napolitano, who teaches honors, Regents and general Earth Science. Mr. Napolitano is also a modified cross country coach and is advisor of the high school’s Robotics Club.

• What’s your favorite aspect of your job?

My favorite aspect of the job is watching the students grow into adults during their four years in high school. I always say that my job is to teach students about life, and the vehicle that I do that with is Earth Science. I know years in the future the students will not remember a specific rock type, or what particular clouds mean for the weather. However, they may remember a story I told them, or a lesson about determination, kindness, or curiosity. That is my favorite part of being a teacher.

• Why do you believe in and support the work of the Minisink Valley School District and what it does for the community?

The faculty, students, and community are incredible. The school district and community work together extensively in many formats especially in the high school. Minisink Cares, Kiwanis pancake breakfasts, food drives, car shows, dinners and plays are only a few of the things that involve the community.  I have been lucky to have been a part of some of those things. The school fosters a lot of selfless thinking and that giving back is important. You name it, and know Minisink and the community are helping out in some way.

• How has this pandemic refocused the work you do every day?

The pandemic has turned things upside down for so many of us. It has been an adjustment teaching remotely. However, it has also been great to learn new things. The refocus for me is not something new, but has been an emphasis on emotional well-being and how the students are doing during all of the adjustments we have had to make both as a school and as a society.

• What do you want to say directly to the community about the importance of your work? 

I want to say that I know this year has been so difficult in so many ways. I know this is not the traditional way of how education has been. We know this is not perfect, but we are working hard every day to do the best we can to make it work.