Alyssa Vachon Daigneault

Alyssa Vachon Daigneault

From 1993-1997 I attended UNH as a member of CEPS and the UNH dance and cheerleading teams.  UNH was a wonderful place to grow up and discover my passion in science and engineering.  I found a home away from home in the chemistry department surrounded by supportive staff, professors and classmates.  While at UNH I spent most of my time at Parsons studying and working for Dr. Chris Bauer.  The research we conducted on undergraduate students reactions to their high school chemistry experiences has carried over through out my career as a high school educator.  I will forever be grateful to Dr. Bauer for the opportunities he afforded to me at such a young age.  

After graduating from UNH in 1997 I moved to Danbury Ct. to take over an industrial chemical sales territory for Huntsman Petrochemical Corporation.  While working for Huntsman I traveled the United States exploring the world of commodity based chemicals manufactured on the coast of Texas.  The experiences I had working in the chemical industry have been an integral part of making my curriculum relevant for students.  I am grateful for the time I was given by Huntsman to see science and engineering in action.

In 2000 I made the move into public education and found my passion.  From 2000-2014 I worked as a high school chemistry, math and physics teacher at Newton South High School in Newton, Massachusetts.  The foundation of my career was built working with students challenged by learning disabilities and social emotional issues.  Science and math is the vehicle I use to inspire and build self confidence through close inter personal relationships and connections with students.  Throughout my time in Newton I developed a deep appreciation for student centered learning environments that guide the learner into achieving at their highest potential.  In 2011 I earned my Masters in Educational Leadership from Simmons College and in 2014 moved my career to my home town of Winthrop Ma.  I am currently the science department head at Winthrop High School, a small suburb just north of Boston where I am raising my sons alongside my husband.  I look forward to the exciting work we are doing in Winthrop to build cohesive lateral and horizontal science curriculum as well as progressive electives in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. 

I cannot thank Dr. Bauer and all of the support systems I had at UNH enough.  From Parsons, to Stoke, Kingsbury, the field house, Gables and Rosemary lane, the memories I made as a Wildcat have lasted a lifetime.