Emmanuel College Alum Receives Teacher of the Year Award

This prestigious award is given annually to K-12 educators who have made exceptional contributions to the field of chemistry education through their dedication, pedagogical skills, and professional accomplishments.

Perrone, a chemistry teacher and the director of Student Life and BU Partnerships at Boston University Academy (BUA) and an adjunct faculty member in the Chemistry Department at Emmanuel, was recognized for her outstanding contributions to chemistry teaching. At BUA, an independent high school integrated with Boston University, Perrone also oversees student clubs and events and develops connections and programming with BU departments across the campus.

"I’m honored to have been selected as the American Association of Chemistry Teachers' 2024 High School Chemistry Teacher of the Year! This recognition is extra special as it comes as I wrap up my tenth year of teaching," said Perrone. "As I reflect on the past decade, I’m grateful for the mentors and friends who have guided me in shaping my teaching philosophy, for the freedom and support from Boston University Academy to incorporate science communication skills into my curriculum, and for my students who continuously motivate me to innovate and elevate their education experience."

Perrone’s academic career began at Emmanuel College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Secondary Education. "I feel the model of double majoring in chemistry and secondary education separately was unique and valuable," she said. "It allowed me the chance to gain a deep understanding of chemistry as a chemist separate from the practice I was honing to understand chemistry as an educator." 

Like many Emmanuel students, Perrone enjoyed the opportunity to forge strong relationships with both peers and professors. One such relationship was between Perrone and her chemistry professor and mentor, Dr. Aren Gerdon, Professor of Chemistry and Chair of the Chemistry Department. "When I joined Dr. Gerdon's research team in 2011, we worked together to design a lab for undergraduate students enrolled in general chemistry to participate in an experiment that supported ongoing research related to calcium phosphate mineralization with nanoparticles. Since graduating, we have kept in touch and often talk about our passions in teaching chemistry — his for social justice in chemistry and mine for the value of good science communication skills."

Dr. Gerdon expressed his admiration for Perrone's achievements and dedication to teaching. "This is a well deserved recognition of Victoria's excellence in teaching. She was an exceptional student at Emmanuel College and now gives back to her students at BUA and Emmanuel through exceptional and thoughtful teaching. I'm proud to be her colleague!""This is a well deserved recognition of Victoria's excellence in teaching. She was an exceptional student at Emmanuel College and now gives back to her students at BUA and Emmanuel through exceptional and thoughtful teaching. I'm proud to be her colleague!"