Thomas Sangiorgi
Thomas Sangiorgi Wins a Sloan Award for Chemistry at Townsend Harris High School
Five years after The New York Post reported on an inappropriate touching by an adjunct Mercy professor at THHS, there remains no clarity as to his whereabouts or whether or not he still works there. Multiple students who reported him directly to the Department of Education say they never received official confirmation that a response has been provided from either party.
Seven of New York City’s premier science and math educators understand what it takes to motivate children in Queens to make grades and pursue careers in their fields, which led them to win this year’s Sloan Awards.
Early Life and Education
Regents chemistry teacher Thomas Sangiorgi makes even the most arcane scientific concepts seem accessible for his students – which explains why Townsend Harris High School awarded him with one of its prestigious Sloan awards this week.
Sangiorgi maintained strong connections with his students after being removed from THHS by the DOE in 2008; he remains an advisor and regional coordinator of the Science Olympiad team; additionally, he teaches an advanced chemistry course at Mercy College.
Seniors at THHS may select two Queens College elective courses per year; Sangiorgi’s course was listed in the fall 2021 catalog; however, an alumna who reported him for misconduct claims she has received no advice or guidance to avoid contact with him on campus.
Professional Career
Thomas Sangiorgi has been teaching at Townsend Harris High School since 2008. Additionally, he serves as Regents chemistry teacher and coach of their Science Olympiad team. Additionally, in his free time Thomas helps connect math lessons to real life by conducting exit polls for NYC elections, calculating baseball players’ salaries, and projecting college loan debt projections.
In 2021, he received the highest honor bestowed upon NYC educators: the Sloan Award for Excellence in Teaching Science and Mathematics.
Students of The Harrington High School have been made aware of the NY Post article, yet it has done little to ease concerns. One THHS alumni reported to The Classic that she ran into Sangiorgi on campus without interacting with him, while another was shocked when she encountered him at a Science Olympiad competition last year.
Achievement and Honors
The science teacher whom students accused of sexual misconduct remains in contact with THHS students through Science Olympiad and Queens College. He serves as NYC Regional Coordinator for Science Olympiad this year; additionally, his Basic Chemistry (CHEM 1013) course can be found listed in their 2021 fall semester catalogue that seniors receive when selecting elective courses at Queens College.
Sangiorgi also allows his students to throw plastic foam balls at him to demonstrate the collision theory, and is adept at breaking down complex concepts into easily understandable terms. He is one of seven NYC teachers awarded with this year’s Sloan awards for excellence in teaching.
Other award recipients included Yunseon Esther Kim of Francis Lewis High School, who is widely acclaimed for helping her students pass the Regents exam; and Dorina Cheregi from Newcomers High School; she hails from Romania and excels at providing clear mathematical explanations.
Personal Life
At Townsend Harris High School, chemistry professor Thomas Sangiorgi remains in his students’ lives long after leaving his classroom. Through activities like conducting exit polls for city elections or analyzing baseball players’ salaries, his pupils at this ultra-selective institution can make connections between math lessons and real life situations such as conducting exit polls for city elections or analyzing baseball players’ salaries.
The Classic recently spoke with a 2018 graduate who filed a report against Mr. Sangiorgi for misconduct back in 2016. She reported seeing him on campus at Queens College where he still serves as Science Olympiad region coordinator and chaperones competitions – including overnight trips.
He coaches the Science Olympiad team, comprised of one-tenth of the school’s student body. One team member was taken aback when she heard that he would continue interacting with students in this capacity.