Hello! My name is Marcie Samayoa and I am a ninth-year high school science teacher from Southern California.
My teaching journey began at UCLA, where I earned a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Science Education in 2015. I started teaching as an intern in 2016 and completed my teaching credential at CSUN in 2018. Currently, I’m finalizing my National Board Certification while teaching Chemistry at the high school level.
Throughout my nine years in the classroom, I’ve consistently encountered students who feel intimidated by science before they even begin. “Miss, science is not my thing” is a comment I hear all too often. This sentiment extends beyond high school; I’ve heard similar doubts from friends pursuing healthcare careers, claiming, “I can’t be a doctor. Science is too difficult.”
These statements always transport me back to my own struggles at UCLA. Despite long hours in the library, I was not doing well in exams. It was at that moment I realized that hard work alone wasn’t enough—I needed to study smarter. Through research, I discovered cognitive science techniques that revolutionized my approach to learning, ultimately helping me earn a spot on the Dean’s Honors List by my senior year in college.
Instead of accepting the “science is hard” narrative, I’ve made it my mission to refine my teaching practices and make science accessible to everyone. By incorporating cognitive and behavioral science techniques, I’ve helped many students overcome the perceived difficulties of science. Over the years, I’ve received countless thank-you messages from students who’ve successfully applied these strategies not only in science but in other areas of their lives as well.
But why confine these strategies to my classroom? That’s the purpose of this blog. I want to share effective teaching and learning strategies that can help educators enhance their science instruction while supporting students who struggle with scientific concepts.
I firmly believe that anyone can understand science with the right approach. My goal is to make science both enjoyable and equitable for all students. I hope this blog provides you with valuable insights, practical tips, and useful resources to overcome barriers and develop a stronger grasp of scientific topics.
Thank you for visiting, and welcome to Scientists in the Making!