Teacher Spotlight: Miss Jennifer Russo Brings STEM to Life at PBIA
Palm Beach International Academy, a Stanza Education School, is thrilled to welcome Miss Jennifer Russo to our faculty as our new STEM teacher. With a deep love for science, a gift for making complex ideas accessible, and a belief in the power of personalized learning, Miss Russo is already inspiring curiosity and creativity in her students.
A Journey Fueled by Curiosity
Miss Russo’s path to STEM education began with a simple truth: she loves talking about science. “I have a passion for learning and fine-tuning explanations,” she shares. “A career in STEM education seemed like the most fitting way to love what I do.”
Her pivotal moment came during her first year of college, when a physics professor introduced a lab-based hybrid model that encouraged students
to discover concepts through hands-on experimentation. “It fascinated me,” Miss Russo recalls. “I changed my major to Physics after that class. It challenged me to always look for new ways students could learn.”
That same spirit of innovation drew her to PBIA. “I truly believe PBIA’s hybrid learning model is the most efficient way for students to learn,” she says. “It fosters respect and autonomy, which are qualities I see lacking in most other educational systems.”
Making STEM Real and Relevant
Miss Russo’s teaching philosophy is rooted in real-world application and interdisciplinary learning. “All STEM topics, including math, can be taught through real-world applications,” she explains. “I like to incorporate student interests and combine STEM with other academic subjects. It gives every student a chance to succeed and challenges those already confident in STEM to stretch beyond their comfort zone.”
Her favorite hands-on project? The legendary Egg Drop Challenge, where students use physics principles to safely land an egg from a great height. This year, she’s excited to introduce two new projects: the Punnett Whodunit, a genetics-based mystery-solving activity, and constructing a lemon battery to power a timer.
Miss Russo also places a high value on student questions. “Curiosity fades when questions aren’t taken seriously,” she says. “I strive to answer every question, whether it’s a review of basic material or a complex, out-of-the-box inquiry. Even if it’s unrelated to the lesson, I praise the creativity to encourage them to keep asking.”
Beyond the Classroom
When she’s not teaching, Miss Russo’s passions continue to fuel her creativity. She’s an avid learner of all things STEM, and she also enjoys singing, musical theatre, puzzles, and video games. And here’s a fun fact her students might not expect: she can yodel!
If she could have dinner with any scientist, she wouldn’t hesitate to choose Richard Feynman. “Nobody understood STEM teaching and simplifying complex topics like he did,” she says.
Miss Russo embodies the spirit of PBIA: curious, creative, and committed to helping students discover their own paths to understanding. We’re so excited to have her on our team and can’t wait to see the sparks she’ll ignite with our students.