Emily Torlak taught science at Eau Gallie High School since 2003. She teaches a range of students from freshmen to seniors (ages 14 – 18) in Ecology, Biology and Integrated Science classes with average class sizes of 30 students.  In addition to teaching at EGHS, Emily hosts clubs including the Environmental Club, GSA club and works part time teaching online science classes for Florida Virtual School.  Emily received a Bachelor of Science in Biology Education from Florida Institute of Technology in 2003 and a Master of Science in Entomology and Nematology from the University of Florida in 2009. Through her participation in TGC, Emily brought a more global perspective to her classroom and school while strengthening her professional skills and sharing her love of science and teaching with other students and teachers abroad.

Emily is dedicated to bringing a global perspective to the study of science, so she can help her students understand that science does not have political boundaries. She emphasizes that science is rooted in global research and discovery, and that many of today’s global challenges require international scientific cooperation. In her Global Education Guide, she provides a unit plan that covers Human Impact on the Biosphere. Students reflect on environmental issues such as climate change, energy consumption, and extinction. They also develop projects that address the human impact on these issues and the larger environmental implications, and students also identify organizations that are working to mitigate these issues. Emily connects her students to issues not just in classroom setting, but a larger world context. Emily traveled to Russia for her International Field Experience and compiled a collection of resources that can be found on her travel blog.