Just as there is always a person behind the scenes for every movie or stage production, there is always someone behind Fort Hamilton’s lab classrooms who makes sure that “magic” can happen. Frank Sinagra is one of the two lab specialists at Fort Hamilton High School. Mr. Sinagra works behind the scenes in the first-floor chemistry and physics lab rooms, preparing lab materials and future lab-required materials to ensure every lab session goes smoothly, making a significant difference in the science department and classes.
Mr. Sinagra has been working at Fort Hamilton High School since 1994, after first starting at Bushwood High School in Downtown Brooklyn. During his first three years at Fort Hamilton, he worked in the biology and earth science labs on the third floor. He now works in the chemistry and physics labs on the first floor.
He had always been interested in the medical field, but as time passed, he discovered his passion for the lab, where he could challenge himself, work with people, and find new solutions to issues that appear, which he says is his favorite part about the job.
“One time, I remember, there wasn’t enough graphite for one of the labs; instead of ordering new ones, I took pencils without erasers, took the graphite core, and used them for the lab,” Mr. Sinagra said.
Even though testing and finding solutions may sound easy, countless behind-the-scenes moments make the job of a lab specialist unique. High expectations and strict deadlines are usually placed on lab specialists, who prepare resources on time and in advance, work with chemicals, and reorder and restock materials. Safety is always Mr. Sinagra’s priority. He frequently walks in and out around the lab to ensure every lab session is conducted safely. After each lab, he makes sure that the goggle cabinet is turned on to sanitize each goggle and refills materials, ensuring upcoming lab sessions are successful.
Although Fort Hamilton has two lab specialists, Jacques Khoury and Mr. Sinagra, many other high schools may not have any lab specialists. Since 2007, job openings for lab specialists in the New York City Public Schools system have decreased significantly, shifting the stress and responsibilities to teachers. Teachers often carry out many responsibilities, however, such as grading, lesson planning, and much more. Without a lab specialist, setting up a lab in time and ordering materials may be difficult, which has led to a decrease in lab activities across schools without lab assistants.
“The DOE has been trying to push the duty of lab specialists to the teachers, but most of them don’t have the time to set everything up for the labs,” Mr. Sinagra said.
Mr. Sinagra’s work may be unseen by many, but his role is extremely crucial to every successful lab. His dedication creates a safe and organized environment for students to make scientific discoveries, whether in physics or chemistry. Despite the extinction of lab specialist job openings, Mr. Sinagra’s love and passion continue to play a crucial role in the Science Department and in students’ activities.
