Meet our District Teacher of the Year, Science Teacher Mrs. Lara Haggerty!

From RI's Narragansett Teacher of the Year- Sarah Dully:
Meet Mrs. Haggerty, a 9th-grade biology teacher at The Greene School (part of the Rhode Island League of Charter Public Schools) who radiates calm confidence mixed with contagious enthusiasm! She brings structure, spark, and stamina to her instruction, making science come alive for every student.

Walking into Mrs. Haggerty’s classroom, it is immediately clear that this is a place of deep learning. From word walls to driving questions about “zombie fires,” her models and visuals reflect the curriculum she champions. For the curious mind, a plethora of science books and updated National Geographics are always within reach. And you certainly can’t miss the monkey stuffed animal hanging from the rafters!

Mrs. Haggerty’s students know exactly what to expect from the very beginning of class. As one student put it: “The routine we have in biology class is like stretching before a workout.” The agenda, posted clearly on the board, guides the flow, while the Daily Learning Target (DLT) is read aloud by students to anchor the lesson and set the tone for the period.

Like the seasoned teacher she is, Mrs. Haggerty has students review their exit ticket data from the previous lesson to address misconceptions before moving forward. To make sure everyone was on the same page for the day’s task, she led a targeted session of direct instruction to review the mechanics of a strong hypothesis.

Then came the coolest part...the experiment! Mrs. Haggerty had students helping every step of the way. One student measured water, another carefully prepped plant parts, and a third determined which water receptacle to use, all in preparation to measure CO2 production. This wasn’t just a quick demo; it was the start of a multi-day investigation that will carry on into the next class!

It’s easy to see why she is such a vital part of The Greene School community. They are rightfully proud to have this District Teacher of the Year as a functional “cell” in their educational DNA!