Jacquie Lopez joins Northwood as an instructor in Molecular Genetics. Jacquie received both her BS in Biochemistry and her Ph. D. in Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology from Cornell University. She homeschooled her children and taught science courses ranging from the elementary school to college level. She is also the Academic Coordinator for NYSEF Winter Term student athletes. Jacquie, her husband Craig, live in both Ithaca and Lake Placid. She has three children, Alex, Avery, and her daughter Audrey who is a junior at Northwood.
That was the brief description of new teacher Ms. Jacquie Lopez on Northwood’s home page. The Mirror staff writer Hadley Swedlund ’20 tried to get to know her a little better and filed this report.
Ms. Jacquie Lopez (Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge)
Tell me a little bit about yourself.
I’m from East Greenbush, New York, right outside of Albany. I live in Ithaca, New York, in the summers and in Lake Placid during the school year. I teach Molecular Genetics here at Northwood, and until this week, I’ve been teaching AP Biology and Human Biology because Ms. Jill Walker was away.
How did you first learn about Northwood? Why did you decide to come here?
I first heard about Northwood because my kids are skiers for NYSEF. They had friends who go to Northwood, and my daughter [Audrey Higgins-Lopez ‘21] goes to Northwood now.
I decided to work at Northwood because the opportunity came. I love science, and I love teaching. Northwood needed a substitute teacher for one of the teachers that was gone at the beginning of September, so I jumped at it.
When you first got here, what was your first impression of Northwood? Has it changed?
What I really liked when I first came here as a teacher was the support and welcoming environment that teachers have for each other. I also realized how much they care about the kids. These impressions haven’t changed.
How is Northwood similar or different from the schools you attended?
Northwood is different because it is a smaller school. There is also a lot of room for more creativity here.
What was your favorite day at Northwood so far?
My favorite moment so far was when my class isolated DNA from strawberries.
What are your hopes for the year? What do you want to get out of this year?
As a teacher, my goal is to inspire some kids to like Biology.
