From Estée Lauder to Jericho: Mrs. Tortoriello Joins the Science Department

BY LOGAN FULLER ’28

In the 2025-2026 school year, Jericho welcomed a new Chemistry teacher, Mrs. Samantha Tortoriello. Prior to working at Jericho, Mrs. Tortoriello taught at Commack High School, and before entering education, she worked as a Senior Process Development Chemical Engineer at Estée Lauder. At Estée Lauder, Mrs. Tortoriello applied chemistry into real world development and product manufacturing. Mrs. Tortoriello’s past experiences have helped her successfully approach teaching, enabling her to teach her students how chemistry is used not only in the classroom, but also in the real world. 

Mrs. Tortoriello transitioned into the education field because she wanted to make a difference and a meaningful impact through her chemistry work. Through teaching, Mrs. Tortoriello has harnessed her admiration for chemistry and her skills of mentorship. Mrs. Tortoriello was excited to join the Jericho team because Jericho specifically stood out as an exceptional place where she could impact students in a strong academic environment that focuses on genuine student growth. Upon joining the Jericho community, Mrs. Tortoriello was excited to learn from supportive colleagues and a community that values holistic education. 

At Jericho, Mrs. Tortoriello aims to share her love of chemistry while helping students build confidence. While chemistry can be daunting for many students, Mrs. Tortoriello loves that she can help her students feel less intimidated and more capable in their learning. According to Mrs. Tortoriello, one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching is seeing students grow and take academic risks. 

“My favorite thing about Jericho is the students,” said Mrs. Tortoriello. “They are motivated, thoughtful, and eager to learn. I’ve also been incredibly grateful for the support and mentorship from my colleagues, who create a collaborative environment that ultimately benefits students in meaningful ways.” While Mrs. Tortoriello is grateful to be a part of the classroom, Mrs. Tortoriello’s students will also benefit greatly from her presence in the classroom. Mrs. Tortoriello is committed to creating “engaging, hands-on learning experiences that connect chemistry to real life.” In Mrs. Tortoriello’s classroom, students are engaged in lessons and projects that “encourage curiosity, collaboration, and problem-solving, and that help students feel proud of their growth, not just their grades.” 

In Mrs. Tortoriello’s free time, she enjoys reading, playing video games and going to events such as concerts. She likes staying active and discovering inspiration that she can apply to her own classroom. 

It is clear that Mrs. Tortoriello will greatly benefit the Jericho community by making a challenging course not only more accessible but also more engaging. Mrs. Tortoriello’s commitment to fostering an environment of curiosity and experimentation will surely be the catalyst for a positive, transformative reaction in the science department.