Daniel Bisaccio ’84 (New England, MST) had his book: All Children Smile in the Same Language: A Teacher’s Journey published by Gatekeeper Press. With over 40 years’ experience in the most important profession, Bisaccio offers guidance to educators as they navigate the uncharted waters of teaching – all those things not taught in teacher preparation programs. Personal essays that focus on the four traits of passion, flexibility, community, and intellectual engagement; this book will help all educators, no matter their years of experience, to sustain the passion that first made them answer the call to teach.
“As I write this in 2022, we enter year three of a global pandemic,” said Bisaccio. “The pandemic’s impact on education is already emerging and I suspect will be future research paper fodder. One impact is teacher ‘fallout’ from the profession. Teachers are leaving in record numbers from retirement, early retirement, and even mid-career professionals are abandoning teaching. So, how do we attract vibrant, creative, and intelligent individuals to this important profession? How do we retain outstanding teachers who are considering leaving the profession? Instead of ascribing to ‘scripted curriculums’ for teachers, or devising testing strategies to hold teachers accountable, we should focus on strategies to invigorate novice teachers. How can they use their pedagogical skills to create engaging curricula? Teachers become artists when developing storylines for their curriculum that fosters student passions for learning. This approach engages both the student and the teacher to keep everyone intellectually engaged in their profession.”
Dan Bisaccio worked in Brown University’s Education Department as the graduate Director of Science Education, Director of Teacher Education (MA in Teaching), and lecturer in Education (2008-2017). Prior to joining Brown, Bisaccio was the Math/Science/Technology Division Head at Souhegan High School. Additionally, Bisaccio was an adjunct faculty member at Keene State College in Geology and at Northeastern University in Ecology at field sites in Jamaica, Moorea/Tahiti, and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Bisaccio’s ongoing research with the Smithsonian Institution’s Biodiversity and Monitoring Program involves field research at several tropical sites in Central and South America. His work has been recognized by the United Nations Environmental Program (Convention on Biological Diversity) as a contributor to their international biological diversity education outreach. Bisaccio has been the recipient of many teaching awards including the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching, as well as authoring articles on educational pedagogy and practice. His teaching methodology and research has been highlighted in several books and on National Public Radio.
