H. Frank Carey High School special education teacher Marissa Cusa has been accepted as a New York State Master Teacher. Ms. Cusa earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science in adolescence mathematics education and special education from Molloy College.
A teacher for eight years, Ms. Cusa spent six years teaching for the New York City Department of Education and two years at H. Frank Carey High School. She has taught all levels of mathematics from seventh grade to Algebra 2. She currently teaches self-contained eighth-grade math and Algebra Common Core. Her goal as a special education teacher is not only to improve her students’ mathematics skills, but to teach them how to become critical thinkers and analyzers. She believes that student growth begins with improved self-confidence.
Ms. Cusa coaches H. Frank Carey’s Pirettes kickline team and provides mathematics instruction to homebound students after school. In addition, she teaches remedial mathematics classes at Suffolk Community College to improve and strengthen students’ fundamental math skills.
As a former member of Math for America, Ms. Cusa is excited to be a part of the New York State Master Teacher Program. She is looking forward to collaborating with a community of talented teachers who instill the same love and passion for teaching mathematics as she does and can’t wait to learn techniques for evaluating, refining and adapting her teaching practices for her current teaching position.
