William Floyd High School's chemistry teacher, Dr. Martin Palermo, has been selected for the New York State Education Department’s VITAL Educator Program. The initiative aims to enhance educators' abilities to address diverse student needs using virtual strategies and innovative tools like AI.
Dr. Palermo will undergo a six-month program featuring online modules, collaboration in Professional Learning Community cohorts, and coaching sessions. This training seeks to empower educators across New York State to promote virtual learning and develop expert VITAL educators who can share professional learning content with colleagues statewide. Upon completing the program, Dr. Palermo will earn a NYSED designation as a VITAL Educator and receive a $14,500 stipend.
“I am very excited for this opportunity to learn cutting-edge strategies that can best support students’ diverse learning needs, while also addressing the challenges of increasing students’ digital literacy,” said Dr. Palermo.
With an 18-year teaching career filled with accolades, Dr. Palermo was recognized by the Science Teachers Association of New York State (STANYS) as the 2024 Suffolk County High School Science Teacher of the Year and received their Excellence in Teaching Award in 2022. He has also earned awards such as the Empire State Excellence in Teaching Program Award and Stony Brook University’s “40 Under Forty” award. In addition to being nominated for NYS Teacher of the Year in 2023, he served on a state advisory council after COVID-19 school closures.
Dr. Palermo holds a PhD in science education from Stony Brook University where he also completed his Master’s degree in teaching science and Bachelor of Science degree in biology and chemistry.