Balancing Biology and English: How Ms. Sabrina Makes It Work

By Kingston Merrigan

November 16, 2025

 

At Urban Assembly Maker Academy, some teachers are taking on more than one role in the classroom. One of them is Sabrina Schumm, a special education teacher who co-teaches Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) Biology and English Language Arts Regents Preparation, balancing two subjects while keeping students engaged.

 

Ms. Sabrina joined UA Maker this year as part of a schoolwide staffing shift that has resulted in teachers covering multiple subjects. Although teaching science and English might seem like a challenge, she said the work has been rewarding.

 

“I decided to become a teacher in high school, but that changed along the way,” Ms. Sabrina said. “I went into corporate work, but one day I walked past a school and thought about how fun it would be to teach.”

 

That decision has shaped her approach to the classroom. Ms. Sabrina said she focuses on keeping students engaged through interactive lessons. “I think interactive teaching and gamifying lessons are the most effective ways to keep students interested in learning,” she said.

 

She also believes relationships play a key role in student success. “I keep an open mind and stay calm and positive,” she said when asked how she supports students with different learning styles.

 

Outside of teaching, Ms. Sabrina said maintaining balance is important. “It’s not easy, but I try to carve out time for my hobbies and make sure I get enough sleep,” she said. She added that running and exercise are passions she enjoys outside of school.

 

Ms. Sabrina’s background also influences how she connects with students. She said growing up in Germany helped shape her perspective and allows her to relate to students in different ways.

 

School leaders say the increase in teachers taking on multiple roles is connected to changes in class size policies. “Class sizes have changed due to a new law passed in New York State,” said Michelle Bellamy, an assistant principal at UA Maker. “The maximum number of students per class is now 25, which means more teachers were added to staff to meet those requirements.”

 

Some educators say teaching multiple subjects can be stressful, but Ms. Sabrina sees it as an opportunity. She said teaching both Biology and English pushes her to be more creative and intentional with her lesson planning. “It’s really rewarding to build connections with students and help them through challenges,” she said. “I want to become more efficient with lesson planning and more effective in how I deliver lessons.”

 

As UA Maker continues to adapt to staffing changes, teachers like Ms. Sabrina are finding ways to balance multiple responsibilities while keeping student learning at the center.