11th & 12th Grade Anatomy & Physiology, Biotechnology, and AP Biology Teacher in Newport News, VA
Hampton Roads Academy
2025-26 Fellow: Dr. Gendreau: “I’ve been teaching for almost 20 years and first learned about the Pilot Light Fellowship after stopping by their booth at the NSTA conference in Philadelphia. I was really drawn to the idea of bringing food education into the classroom in a way that connects directly to students’ everyday lives. I’m excited to help my students explore how food impacts their health, and to guide them in making better choices by understanding the “why” behind them. I think it’s a great way to get them thinking critically and personally about science and wellness. I teach at Hampton Roads Academy and have a Ph.D. in neuroscience. I love bringing hands-on experiences into the classroom—my students learn best when they can dive in and do the work themselves.”
Favorite Food Education Standard: FES #5: Food impacts health.
The Food Impacts Health standard really resonates with me because I teach Anatomy and Physiology, where we focus on how the body works and stays healthy. Food plays a huge role in that, and it’s something students can relate to every day. It’s one thing to learn about body systems, but when students connect that to what they eat—how nutrients fuel muscles, support brain function, or impact long-term health—it makes the science more real and meaningful. It gives them a practical, personal reason to care about what they’re learning.
A Favorite Food Memory or Recipe:
One of my favorite food memories comes from my Puerto Rican roots, where food is at the heart of every celebration, tradition, and family gathering. Cooking reminds me of being in the kitchen with my mother, learning how to make arroz con gandules, guineitos y flan. The smells, sounds, and flavors take me back to holidays filled with laughter, music, and love. Food wasn’t just something we ate—it was how we connected, celebrated, and passed down our culture. Now, when I cook those same dishes, I feel close to my family, even if we’re miles apart. It’s a way of keeping our traditions alive and sharing them with others.
What I’m Most Excited About as a New Fellow:
I’m really excited to bring food education into my Anatomy and Physiology class in a way that feels real and relevant to students. Connecting what they eat to how their bodies function—especially when it comes to things like digestion and long-term health—makes the science come alive and gives them tools they can actually use in their daily lives.
