Science Research Program Teacher Erum Hadi Spotlighted in Westchester Magazine

Erum Hadi (Photo by Ken Gabrielsen)

The following is an excerpt from Westchester Magazine, February 21, 2022, in a piece titled "These Teachers Educate and Make a Difference in Westchester" By Paul Adler, Nick Brandi, Cristiana Caruso, Joe Cesarano, Melissa Kagan, Michelle Gillan Larkin, and Gina Valentino 

Erum Hadi
Peekskill High School, lead teacher for the Science Research Program

Erum Hadi’s path to becoming the lead teacher for the Science Research Program at Peekskill High School was not a straightforward one. She began as an epidemiologist for the Dutchess County Department of Health and later became a city research scientist for New York City Department of Health. While she was there, she became interested in sharing her knowledge with others and decided to get her master’s in secondary education at Lehman College. She was approached to join the faculty at Peekskill High School about 11 years ago.

“My favorite aspect of teaching is making special connections with the students and helping them find the right tools to succeed with their projects,” she says. “I also love helping kids reach important milestones in their studies and seeing how good it makes them feel about themselves.”

Hadi is passionate about the Science Research Program. It’s a three-year program at the college undergraduate level in which students attend class every day and meet individually with Hadi every two weeks while conducting most of the work independently. In addition to teaching her students science-related topics, she takes them to science fairs, symposia and competitions, primes them for making presentations, secures internships with prestigious researchers, and shows them how to conduct science surveys and interpret public health data. She was even able to help a former student get published in an international science journal.

“The beauty of the Science Research Program is that I teach the students life skills they will use in the future. For example, they learn letter writing, resume building, public speaking, design, editing, and application of concepts,” she explains.
 Hadi describes herself as “super flexible” and “accommodating,” encouraging her students not to give up when the going gets tough. The success she’s had over the years in forging those all-important bonds with her students has become a hallmark of her career as an educator and is perhaps the greatest testament to her tireless dedication.

“She goes above and beyond in making sure you get the help you need, not only with schoolwork but personal issues, as well,” says former student Dania Alwadi. “She truly cares about her students and pushes them to succeed. I want to thank her a million times for being with me the whole way.”