Bio: Mrs. Cruz attended the University of Scranton for her Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience, Fairleigh Dickinson University for her Master’s in Biology and the City College of New York for her Master’s in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). She has worked in a contract lab as a microbiologist for almost 9 years, and prior to DMA, has taught Living Environment, Algebra I and ENL at a public school in New York City for 5 years.

Hometown: Randolph, NJ

I like working at the Academy because… of the sense of community here. I attended St. Mary’s School in Wharton from K through 8 and loved and valued my experience there. Being at DMA reminds me of that.

Teaching Philosophy: It’s important to like what you’re teaching, and for that interest to be conveyed during a lesson. Being excited about a topic can make the students excited about learning.

Fun Facts about me: 

1. I have traveled to 5 of the 7 continents and have been traveling since I was an infant. I spent my first birthday in Jakarta, Indonesia.

2. I am of Filipino descent. Although I was born in the US, my parents have instilled in me Filipino culture and values. I have enjoyed multiple trips to their native land.

3. I took piano lessons from second grade until my senior year of high school. I don’t get to play/practice as much but there are bits of pieces I can still play by memory.

When I’m not in the classroom you will find me… usually at home (Union, NJ) with my 4-year-old daughter, husband and sweet pitbull.

Ask me about… the Biology elective I took in college - “Tropical Biology”