Oscar Newman, Staff Instructor

Pronouns: él/him

Oscar Newman began teaching in Chicago Public Schools in 1997. He completed teacher certification in DePaul University’s Urban Teacher Corps in 1998 – 1999 and received his Master’s degree in 2001. He achieved National Board Certification (Early Adolescence: Science) in 2002 and has renewed and maintained it. (2012, 2022)

In 2004, Oscar was selected as Teacher in Residence for the Chicago Academy of Sciences’ Notebaert Nature Museum. He taught K–12 students, staffed the Teacher Leadership Center and designed teacher workshops. Oscar served on teacher advisory boards including The Chicago Academy of Sciences, the Field Museum of Natural History, and the Teacher Advisory Council for Chicago Public Schools.

Oscar mentored middle school and high school science teacher candidates for National Board Certification for 10 years. He also served as a mentor teacher for student teachers and first-year teachers since 2006.

At Chicago Academy Elementary School, Oscar taught 6th – 8th grade science for 15 years. He was the School Science Coordinator, founded the school’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance, led the Zoology Club, and coached soccer.

Oscar is a fellow of the Michigan State University – Wipro STEM & Leadership Teaching Fellowship Program and completed coursework from 2015 – 2016 for certification in STEM Leadership. Oscar completed teacher leadership training in the New Leaders Emerging Leaders program (2017 – 2018) and partnered with the Museum of Science and Industry’s Science Leadership Initiative School Partners Program (2015 – 2022) to assess and improve science education at his school.

For the 2019 – 2020 academic year, Oscar took an academic sabbatical and relocated to Washington as a student in IslandWood’s Graduate Program in Education for Environment and Community. Currently, Oscar works for IslandWood’s School Overnight Program, substitutes for the Bainbridge Island School District, and is a Teaching Associate for the University of Washington.

Oscar Newman is a father of two young explorers, Eva Simone (13) and Maxwell (9). He and his spouse, Theo Lesczynski, enjoy experiencing the natural world with family and friends. Oscar loves hiking, riding his bicycle, jazz, and traveling.