Karen Heil

MIDDLE-SCHOOL & S.T.E.A.M. TEACHER, P.S. 175

Karen Heil is a middle-school science/S.T.E.A.M. teacher at P.S.175, the City Island School. She has a BS in exercise science and a BA in chemistry from the University of Massachusetts, and she received her MS in secondary education from Mercy College. Karen has taught at P.S. 175 for more than 22 years, creating diverse learning opportunities for her students, such as hosting a NASA JPL engineer to participate in a week-long celebration of Mars Week. She is currently developing lessons and a marine ecosystem program for the middle school at P.S. 175 and has brought many innovative projects to the school, including the first “Teach-In for Climate Justice” in 2022. In 2023, Ms.Heil received the Big Apple Award for exemplary work in the classroom, inspiring students and enriching their school communities.