Nicole Episcopo set up her biology and anatomy classroom last month to welcome her first BHS students.

As a high school student at Nordonia, she describes herself as a ‘nerd’. 

Although she started Nordonia’s Med Club, she had no interest in a future in medicine herself. Instead, she pursued zoology; she worked at the zoo, where she loved her role in outreach and education, which is what pushed her toward teaching.

She says her decision to change careers was inspired by seeing young people learn new things in her job at the zoo.  

“When somebody hears something they’ve never considered and it registers with them, it clicks,” she said. “And that’s something that we can see, – educators can see when that happens for you guys. I wanted to do something that had a bit more of an impact.”

Episcopo’s classroom features buttons to click in and out of the room, notifying her if a student is going anywhere outside of the room. She also has a doorbell to refocus students, music and vibrant decorations.

“This is partially for you guys, but it’s also partially for me,” she said. 

“I want to feel like I want to be here too,” she added. 

Episcopo plans to follow the state-outlined curriculum for biology until after state testing, then she will shift her focus to animal-based science, since she majored in life sciences. 

She intends to adapt to her students’ needs so that they fully grasp the content. 

“I don’t plan too far out, because I want to know where you are,” she said. “I’m still learning my kids… how you learn best and what’s going to work best for you.”

She also plans to encourage her students’ career interests by connecting them with professionals and encouraging them to life science career paths.