Dr. Mark Amaral is a chemistry teacher at Windham High School with a passion for chemistry and helping students. He was born on a small island called Paget, Bermuda. Dr. Amaral has an extensive background in Chemistry, beginning with his undergraduate studies at the University of Guelph in Canada, followed by a Master’s degree in Forensic Chemistry at Strathclyde University in Scotland. Due to his love for science and the ability to combine his passion for problem-solving with real-world application, he would advance his career by obtaining a Postgraduate Certificate in Forensic Drug Chemistry from the University of Florida, followed by an MRes and PhD in Forensic Chemistry, focusing on drug and explosive investigation, at UCL in the United Kingdom.

Once Dr. Amaral completed his education, he would go on to become a Forensic Scientist, where he would create and explore different drugs used in criminal activity. During his time as a Forensic Scientist, he would do some awesome things. Often, recreating drugs used in criminal cases through various methods, in order to testify in court against criminals. He also enjoyed this field of work because of the investigative puzzle aspect of the work and being able to solve real-life mysteries, with him stating, “Each case is like a complex mystery, analyzing particles, chemicals, or drug samples to reconstruct events. Figuring out not just what happened, but how it happened, was always incredibly rewarding.”

After a successful career as a Forensic Scientist, Dr. Amaral decided to pursue a career in teaching. This shift was due to a newfound love for teaching and the opportunity to inspire the next generation of scientists. A key piece of this love for teaching is the “aha” moment he often finds when helping students. This moment of realization is very special to Dr. Amaral as it allows him to see the students’ progress and how they piece things together. He also appreciates the new generation's love for science and learning, as education is very important to him, making him the perfect teacher for the Windham School District. Even though the classroom environment and crime scenes are very different, components of Forensic Science can be used in the classroom to allow students to experience another side of Chemistry, keeping them engaged and providing an interactive learning experience.

Dr. Amaral is truly the best addition to the staff of Windham High School due to his extensive experience in Chemistry, which allows students to flourish in science and explore career choices that are not common! Additionally, Dr. Amaral has experience in research projects and public speaking, having presented his research in New Zealand. The presentation was a milestone for him as he states, “One of my proudest moments was being selected to deliver the keynote presentation in New Zealand on my research.” Dr. Amaral’s background demonstrates his ability to excel in the sciences and inspires students with his spectacular achievements. In conclusion, even though he has been at Windham High School for only one year, he has had a tremendous impact on his students, demonstrating his prowess as a scientist and teacher.