Despite entering college as a basketball player, AP Biology and Biology Accelerated teacher Steffanie Shoop discovered her love for teaching when she first stepped into a classroom, though her love of basketball continues to live on in her coaching position at PHS. Shoop has been teaching at PHS for 19 years, arriving in 2007 after her first job teaching in South River. Before becoming a teacher, Shoop’s family’s career in science inspired her to pursue biology instead of an athletic career at Providence College.
“I did not study to be a teacher, [but] I had two options. One of my options was taking a job [in teaching], so I [wondered], ‘Do I go for sports, which is not guaranteed, or do I take a job that is guaranteed?’” said Shoop. “I took the route [of] teaching, and when I stepped into the classroom, I knew I was never, ever, ever doing anything else.”
Within the classroom, Shoop’s teaching style focuses on supporting her students in every capacity. She aims to help students manage the tensions that come with being a student at PHS, especially considering the difficulties of AP Biology.
“I try to make sure that every kid feels seen because they need to understand that they’re not just a grade … [or] just a class [or] just a test,” said Shoop. “They’re a whole individual. … I try to be here as much as I can. … My door is pretty much open all the time.”
Shoop’s commitment to teaching has not gone unnoticed by students. Alongside learning the curriculum, students have appreciated the classroom environment Shoop has created.
“She’s a really funny teacher,” said Abeera Shahid ’29. “She makes sure everyone understands [that] you can always ask for help [and] you can be comfortable.”
Beyond these personal efforts, Shoop’s education style also involves creating diverse lessons that assist different types of learners. She does this by incorporating hands-on learning, often using models and original labs to explain concepts.
“I want to make sure that there are lessons that are engaging and [that] reach different kids,” said Shoop. “So it’s not just notes or lectures, it’s differentiated, it’s thoughtful, [and] it’s engaging.”
Shoop is dedicated to matching the amount of effort that her students make with her own commitment to teaching and timeliness. “I have very, very high expectations for my kids because I know they’re capable of it. I grade pretty fast, but I do that because if I expect my kids to work that hard for me, I want them to know that I’m working that hard for them,” said Shoop.
Outside of school, Shoop finds that the combination of being a mother and a basketball coach occupies most of her time, though she also enjoys decorating cakes and playing the guitar.
“I don’t have time to do my art anymore,” said Shoop. “I pour my art into my kids.”