Stamford Agriscience Program
Meet the Agriscience Staff!
Ms. Cipolla
Ms. Cipolla is currently the Stamford Agriscience Program Director, Co-FFA Advisor, and Plant Science and Agribusiness teacher. She began teaching in 2014, and was a long term substitute at the Housatonic Valley Regional FFA Chapter in Falls Village, CT before she became a certified Agriscience teacher. Ms. Cipolla grew up raising quarter horses, and riding in English and Western competitions. She fell in love with FFA and Agricultural Education when she enrolled in an Equine Science class in her high school's Agricultural Education program. After high school, Ms. Cipolla earned her Bachelor's degree in Agribusiness Management at SUNY Cobleskill. Then worked as a Veterinary Assistant for two years before earning her Master's in Agricultural Education. Ms. Cipolla always thought she'd be an Animal Science teacher, but she always enjoyed taking Floral Design classes as an elective in college and grew up gardening at home with her mom. She has fallen in love with teaching plant science and you can usually find her in the greenhouse going on a tangent about plant blindness! In her spare time, Ms. Cipolla enjoys hiking, playing guitar and ukulele, and reading. Follow Ms. Cipolla on instagram and TikTok! @AgSci_Cipolla
Mrs. Marenholz
Mrs. Marenholz has been teaching at Westhill High School since 2010. She majored in Animal Science and received her master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Connecticut. In her time in the Stamford Agriscience Program, she has taught multiple classes throughout all grade levels, serves as the Chapter FFA Advisor, coordinated the Doggie Daycare program, and coached many CDEs and LDEs. Mrs. Marenholz has been an SPS teacher of the year finalist for the 2018-2019 school year and runner-up for the 2023-2024 school year as well as a nominee for SPEF during the 2022-2023 school year. She has served on multiple committees for the National Association for Agricultural Educators, participated in many programs, and takes classes regularly to further her own agricultural education. Most currently, she took a course on aquaponics, herpetology care, and veterinary science.
Mrs. Marenholz is an animal lover with 2 dogs and 3 cats of her own. In addition, she is an avid volunteer at her local animal shelter and has fostered over 130 cats and kittens in the past 5 years. She also has experience training guide dogs as a volunteer with Guiding Eyes for the Blind for multiple years. She also enjoys traveling, sports, hiking and the outdoors, jewelry making and spending time with her family and friends. Follow her on Instagram @FFAMarenholz to take a peek into what her classes are like!
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Mr. Russo
Mr. Russo is a graduate-turned-teacher of the Stamford ASTE Program/FFA. As a student, he discovered a passion for agriculture and helping others strive towards their goals. During his time as a student, he ran a hydroponics business as his SAE, became the first of the Stamford FFA to hold a leadership position on the state level, and became the first in recent Stamford FFA history to travel to the National FFA Convention and receive the American FFA Degree. Mr. Russo continued his educational journey at UConn, where he received his B.S. in Agriculture and Natural Resources/Sustainable Plant and Soil Systems and M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction. In his time outside of his various agricultural pursuits, he often finds himself playing video games, building cosplays, or bushcraft camping with friends.
Dr. Martin
Dr. Martin has been a science teacher for nearly 20 years teaching at both the middle and high school levels. He grew up in a rural farming community in Western North Dakota were he developed a deep connection with the land and has worked as an advocate to promote local community-based agriculture. Dr. Martin is a graduate of the University of Montana Master Beekeeping Program and has been a beekeeper for more than 10 years. He maintains about 25 beehives throughout Fairfield County which produce nearly 2000 lbs of honey each year. Dr. Martin and his family maintain a small urban farm in Stamford where they raise a variety of fruits, vegetables, chickens, and bees. He holds a B.S. and an M.S. in Biology, an M.S. in Education, and an Ed. D. in Educational Leadership. Dr. Martin is very passionate about teaching students about the joys of growing food for themselves and their communities and considers himself incredibly lucky to have this opportunity.
Ms. Cascio
Coming soon!
