Growing up near Coney Island, Brooklyn, Ariella Moshchinsky knew early on that she would pursue a career in the sciences — and she says it was her public school education that helped inspire her to achieve that goal.

Moshchinsky is a pediatric anesthesiologist at Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, New Jersey. The mom of a 4-month-old daughter lives in Morris Plains, New Jersey, with husband Daniel Merzlyak — a graduate of Stuyvesant HS in Manhattan and a leader in artificial intelligence.

Her parents, both from Ukraine, owned a small retail business. Later, her father became a partner in a pharmacy chain, where her mom worked as a technician.

After graduating high school, Moshchinsky received her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the City University of New York’s Macaulay Honors College at Brooklyn College and medical degree from the State University of New York’s Downstate Health Sciences University. She decided to focus on pediatric anesthesiology.“It’s very rewarding,” she said. “Pediatric anesthesiology is very nuanced and it requires even more precision because you’re dealing with really delicate patients. It can be extremely stressful but also really beautiful.” 

My public school education was very familial. I always felt comfortable and was given the opportunity to thrive. I felt just as supported in school by my teachers as I did at home. It shaped a lot of who I am and why I was able to pursue anything more serious in my future.

I started kindergarten at PS 100 in Coney Island in 1997, but my public school education really began to influence me when — starting in 2003 — I went to IS 303 in the same neighborhood, where I was in a dedicated Sigma program geared toward higher-achieving students.

During lunch breaks, my friends and I liked to hang out with the teachers. I would help out with things like summer prep, even though I wasn’t always sure what I was doing. I was always very close with my teachers and just really liked being around them.

Jennifer Greene, my 7th-grade homeroom teacher, had a significant impact on me. She was kind and patient. She had a gentle approach toward students and encouraged them to think about their future, which is what shapes kids at that age.

Sally-Ann Bongiovanni was my earth science teacher in 8th grade. I was very into earth science and her guidance was invaluable. When I graduated, she gave me a beautiful necklace as a keepsake.

Linda Eskenazi was my math teacher at IS 303. She was incredibly strict, but her no-nonsense style helped me become much more serious, and I began envisioning a serious future for myself.

I moved on to Leon M. Goldstein HS for the Sciences in Manhattan Beach.

Nirmala Nanes, my chemistry teacher, always incorporated humor. She was very down-to-earth, and you really enjoyed being in her classroom.

Coincidentally, when I was studying at Brooklyn College, I walked into my biochemistry classroom and saw Ms. Nanes sitting in the front row — as a student! I think she was pursuing a higher-level science degree.

It was great because we developed a different kind of relationship. We even studied together. She was once my teacher and now my friend and classmate.

Naoual Eljastimi taught my AP chemistry course at Goldstein HS. Ms. Eljastimi was extremely dedicated and was almost like a parent to her students. She also trained us for the Science Olympiad, where we competed against other schools. I think we were semifinalists.

Both Ms. Nanes and Ms. Eljastimi were wonderful female role models. They embodied the kinds of characteristics that help you know it’s possible to become a woman in science. They helped me see I could pursue a career in science, knowing that my mentors and teachers were so successful at it.

One of the biggest things I got from my public education was the importance of self-guided learning. Nothing was spoon-fed.

My teachers and public school education led me to want to be a great role model for other young girls who might be interested in science or a career in medicine in the future.

— As told to Joe LoVerde