Meet the Teachers of the Science Center:  

 Dorothy Velez, Owner, Director, Middle/High School Instructor

Dorothy is a mom of 3 and has homeschooled her younger kids, one high schooler and one in college, from the beginning.   She holds degrees in Biology and Marketing from Thomas Edison State University, and Elementary Education from Kean University.   
She has spent over 30 years sharing her love of science with children, as a docent at a local zoo and as a 4H leader running STEM and Robotics clubs.   Opening the Science Center was a natural way to bring together her experience homeschooling and her love for teaching science.  
Ms Dorothy teaches all our Middle School/High School classes, as well as Elementary Chemistry.  

Jennifer (Jen) Pankowski, Head Teacher, Elementary Instructor

Jen is a family-first mother of 3 amazing kids.  She has a Bachelor's degree in Speech and Hearing Science from the University at Buffalo and holds teaching certificates in New Jersey for Elementary Education and as a Teacher of Students with Disabilities. 
Jen has previously worked as a teacher in a school for children with autism, as an in-home tutor and coordinator of home programs for children with autisms, and as a teacher in a private preschool.    
She loves to do hands-on activities and teach based on the students in her class and their interests.   Every child is an individual and should learn as such. 
Jen is proficient in American Sign Language. 
Ms. Jen teaches most of our Elementary science classes.  

Johanna Pipoli, Junior and Elementary Instructor

Johanna is currently a student at County College of Morris studying Early Childhood Education.   She is extensively involved in youth mentoring with 4H including serving as a counselor at 4H sleep-away camp, assisting and running programs at Science-sational Day, serving as a mentor for the small animal club, and providing children's activities at Cloverbud Corner at the 4H Fair.   As a 4H leader, Johanna takes yearly Working with Minors training through Rutger's University.
Johanna is proficient in American Sign Language.
Ms. Johanna teaches most of our Junior science classes and a few of our Elementary electives.  

​Susan Hollywood, Elementary Instructor

Susan has a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and spent a brief period pursuing a PhD in astrophysics before she felt the need to leave academia and see "the real world".  She taught and tutored math and science to adults for years, but it wasn't until she had kids of her own that she started working with children.   She now delights in learning and discovering with younger minds!  When she's not at the science center, Susan can be found homeschooling her two boys and filling her house with too many board games.
Ms. Susan teaches the Science of Star Wars.

Jaime Ferry, Office Manager 

Jaime has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from William Paterson University, graduated Magna Cum Laude. She left her finance job on Wall Street 18 years ago to stay home with her oldest child. She’s since homeschooled all three of her children, her oldest graduating and starting college just this past fall. She’s loved homeschooling her kids! She is excited for her new role as Office Manager for Dorothy at the Science Center and looks forward to spending more time there, together with her kids.
She's excited to be a part of what Dorothy provides to the homeschooling community!
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