Dr. Pasquarette took an uncommon route to the classroom. Before becoming a teacher, he earned a doctorate in pharmacy at the University of Pittsburgh and then began working in a retail pharmacy setting. He eventually realized that this wasn’t the right field for him. “It was so repetitive”, he said. “I wanted something more meaningful.”
Through the Noyce Scholarship, a New York State program designed to attract STEM professionals to teaching, he transitioned into a career in education. He first came to Victor as a long-term substitute three years ago and returned this year after spending two years teaching in another district. “I really liked Victor the first time I was here,” he said. “It’s a good environment where students are respectful and teachers are supported.”
He now teaches both AP Biology and Regents Biology. While he enjoys both, he finds the AP curriculum especially engaging. “It’s the ‘real’ science,” he explained. “It’s challenging but interesting.”
He continues to adjust his lessons as the state curriculum evolves for his Regents classes, working to balance labs, reading, and discussions to meet the needs of his students.
His academic background includes a Bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences, a Pharm.D., and a Master’s degree in teaching. Though his years in pharmacy were demanding, he says teaching has been far more rewarding.
“Even on a busy day, it’s better than what I was doing before,” he said.
Outside of the classroom, he enjoys running, skiing, and traveling,
and he often posts photos from his weekend activities on the classroom board at the beginning of his lessons. A fan of the Buffalo
Bills and the University of Pittsburgh, he brings the same enthusiasm to his teaching as he does to his interests.
He enjoys planning events with his friends whenever possible. Going out to dinner, taking vacations, and seeing new sights, he appreciates spending time with the people he loves.
When asked about what students should know about him, he said simply, “Real answer: Invest money in your twenties! Listen to Mr. Ingalls: money grows and does more for you than anything else you’ll ever earn. And if a college offers you money, go there. Don’t go too far into debt.”
