Curiosity is always brewing at Lewiston-Porter Middle School, where Kimberly Alexander Carlo’s seventh grade science students are constantly immersed in exciting, collaborative hands-on experiments. Effectively weaving Next Generation Science Standards and Argument-Driven Inquiry labs into curriculum, students explore the world of science up close and personal by developing, assessing and adjusting their own hypotheses using evidence from experiments with self-made cars, batteries, copper wiring, and more. Alexander Carlo often utilizes practices from the Institute for Habits of Mind to guide students through their daily lessons. Dedicated to providing differentiated instruction, Alexander Carlo accommodates students’ individual needs and recommends those who excel for an advanced eighth grade earth science course the next year.
Alexander Carlo helped establish a CREW program at Lew-Port, a daily social and emotional learning (SEL) block built into students’ schedules. As a member of the CREW committee, she contributes to curriculum integrating SEL practices, state benchmarks and Habits of Mind. Alexander Carlo also serves as a middle school liaison for the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging committee, as well as a member of the restorative practices committee, and assists in providing professional development for her colleagues. Working to further her own knowledge, Alexander Carlo is a member of the American Educational Research Association, as well as the New York State Master Teacher Program and Science Teachers Association. She has presented at a statewide conference on research-supported instructional practices and has participated in guest speaking opportunities and panel presentations at Niagara University, her alma mater. Additionally, Alexander Carlo has shared her research and insights on instruction in published articles and co-authoring a book.
As valedictorian of the Lewiston-Porter High School class of 2011, Alexander Carlo now works alongside many of the teachers who mentored her over the years. She is dedicated to schoolwide student success, maintaining strong relationships with families and leading parent teacher conferences. Alexander Carlo is a peer coordinator for the sixth through eighth grade science department and provides students with upper-level high school class tutoring. She helped students form the “Lancer Peacekeepers” club, intended for Lew-Port bullying prevention. During the summers, Alexander Carlo works at a summer camp she once attended.
Alexander Carlo is a graduate of Niagara University. She earned a Bachelor of Science in biology with a coordinate in environmental studies in 2015 and a Master of Science in middle childhood and adolescent education in 2017.
Press release: Youngstown Science Teacher Makes Hometown History with $25,000 Milken Educator Award
