Eric Bernstein
Director
EBernstein@crec.org

Mr. Bernstein has a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems, a Masters in Education Administration & Supervision, and a Juris Doctorate from the University Of Connecticut School Of Law. He served as an administrator in the Watertown Public Schools after teaching math and social studies in Manchester. Prior to teaching, Mr. Bernstein was the Director of Operations and Technology for an educational toy manufacturer in Fairfield County. Mr. Bernstein teaches courses at the Academy including Medical, Engineering, Technology, and Research Ethics and Leadership in Science, Engineering, and Medicine.

Gary Boukus
Mathematics
gboukus@crec.org

B.S., Central Connecticut State University, Mathematics/Physics
M.Ed., University of Hartford, Administration/Supervision

Mr. Boukus retired from Farmington High School in 2000, then quickly left retirement to teach mathematics at the Academy part-time. 

Melissa Conrad
Chemistry
mconrad@crec.org

A.A., Hartford College for Women, Liberal Arts
B.A., Wheaton College, Chemistry
M.S., Saint Joseph College

Mrs. Conrad conducts tutoring sessions for any students in Chemistry each week. She is currently developing our chemistry lab in coordination with Dr. Janet Morrison of Trinity College and Dr. Diana Mark-Malchoff of UCONN Health Center.

Peter R. Huybrechts
Mathematics
phuybrechts@crec.org

B.S., Central Connecticut State University, Mathematics
M.S., Central Connecticut State University, Secondary Mathematics
Certificate of Advanced (Graduate) Study, Wesleyan University, Mathematics

Mr. Huybrechts, retired from Newington High School, teaches mathematics part-time.

Jerome Maas
Physics, Forensic Science
jmaas@crec.org

B.S., University of Wisconsin, Chemical Engineering
Graduate Certificate, United States Navy Nuclear Power School, Engineering, Nuclear Reactor Theory and Nuclear Chemistry

Mr. Maas teaches both mathematics and physics at the Academy. He conducts tutoring sessions each Saturday for any students who want extra help.

Jacob Mendelssohn
Physics, Electronics, Robotics and Photonics
jmendelssohn@crec.org

B.S., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Chemical Engineering
MBA, Wharton Graduate School of the University of Pennsylvania
Awards: National Science Foundation Scholarship for Advanced Studies, Wharton Public Policy Fellowship

In addition to teaching, Mr. Mendelssohn has developed both our Robotics and Photonics laboratories with specialized precision equipment. Mr. Mendelssohn holds after-school help sessions in Physics each week.

Haia Speigel
Earth/Space Science, Astronomy, Advanced Environmental Science
hspeigel@crec.org

B.A., Clemson University, Secondary Education with a minor in Biological Science
Master of City and Regional Planning, College of Architecture at Clemson University
Postgraduate in Education, University of East Anglia, U.K.
Awards: South Carolina State Planning Award

Mrs. Spiegel has developed our Astronomy curriculum and has worked closely with Dr. Suzanne O'Connell of Wesleyan University, connecting our students to the college students at Trinity College at the Interdisciplinary Science Program. Together, they are involved in a National Science Foundation grant, ³Connecting with the River: Geosciences Research & Education.

Chinma Uche Ph.D.
Mathematics, Computer Science
cuche@crec.org

Ph.D., Imperial College, University of London, UK, Biomathematics
D.I.C., Imperial College, University of London, UK
Postgraduate Certificate in Education, University of London, UK
M.Sc., University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Mathematics
B.Sc., University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Mathematics

Dr. Uche teaches Mathematics and Computer Science. She takes AP Computer Science students to programming competitions in the North East region and to the GE Connecticut High School Computer Science contest each year. Dr. Uche is a member of the Connecticut Computer Science Teachers Association, CT CSTA.

Laurie Walker
Mathematics
lwalker@crec.org

B.S., Westfield State College, Computer Science/Mathematics
M.S., Westfield State College, Technology for Educators

In addition to teaching a full load of courses, Miss Walker is conducting our pilot distance learning program. From her home, she teaches three students Algebra II with Trigonometry.