Dana Taurisano is pursuing a M.A.T. degree from SUNY Empire State College. She has a background in chemistry and government from Utica College, where she also tutored peers. She has worked as a teacher's assistant in special education and math at middle schools in Utica City School District. Her goals as a teacher are to incorporate real-life applications, culture, and mastery learning while ensuring students work together and feel engaged, excited, and safe in her classroom.