Karina Hernandez

Affiliation

Leyden High School District 212

Biography

I am a 5th-year Latina high school educator- a daughter of Mexican immigrant parents who works in the Leyden High School District. I teach in the Science and Multilingual departments. I have taught various courses such as physical science, biology, chemistry, and medical careers courses. I strive to bring a broad and engaging approach to the classroom that connects science concepts to real-world applications. I am especially committed to supporting multilingual learners in accessing rigorous academic opportunities and supporting them to achieve their goals. As a first-generation educator, I strongly believes that every student deserves high-quality instruction, meaningful learning experiences, and the chance to succeed regardless of their background. My goal is to design lessons that are inclusive and student-centered, encouraging curiosity, collaboration, and critical thinking. I works to bridge the gap between language and content learning, ensuring that multilingual students feel empowered and capable in STEM subjects by integrating hands-on experiments, bilingual resources, and culturally relevant examples. I hope to inspire my students to pursue their goals with confidence and to recognize the power of science in shaping their futures.