Tag Archives: Asian American Teachers

VA math teacher YuJeong Julia Shin garners special recognition

Posted on by

Virginia middle school mathematics teacher YuJeong Julia Shin has garnered the 2023 Region 5 Outstanding Secondary School New Teacher award from Fairfax County Public Schools. Photo credit: Fairfax County Public Schools

It is always my pleasure to call attention to exceptional educators who have earned recognition for their work in the classroom. Today, I shine a spotlight on Mathematics Teacher YuJeong Julia Shin of Fairfax County Pubic Schools (FCPS) in Fairfax, Virginia. She has garnered recognition as the 2023 Region 5 Outstanding Secondary School New Teacher.

Julia teaches mathematics at Frost Middle School. She also co-advises who school’s MathCounts team, connecting with students who strive to become better collaborators and problem solvers.

The selection of Julia was announced at the annual FCPS Honors event held at George Mason University Center for the Arts this past June. The recognition is given to one elementary teacher and one secondary teacher within their first three years of teaching who demonstrate superior performance and instructional skills. The award celebrates excellence in achieving successful academic outcomes for their students.

Julia says she places special emphasis on demonstrating and practicing the school motto: Work hard, be nice, and widen your circle. She works diligently to connect with her students. Her goal is to develop strong relationships while dedicating herself to fostering a welcoming classroom community where every student feels safe to ponder, question, explore, make mistakes, learn, and grow. In addition, Julia constantly recognizes and celebrates her students’ achievements and successes, encouraging students to take pride in their learning experiences and reach their highest potential.

“Not only can Ms. Shin thoroughly teach me Algebra, in a way that is interesting and understandable, she also takes time to get to know me on a personal level,” says a student in the honored teacher’s class. Another student agrees. “I really enjoy being in Ms. Shin’s class. She explains difficult problems and breaks them down in such a way that makes them feel easy and I can always understand the content,” declared the student.

Julia is a graduate of the Secondary Education program offered at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. To read more about Julia Shin, click on this link to Frost Middle School.

Oregon STEM teacher Ranjani Krishnan garners coveted 2023 PAEMST Award

Posted on by

Computer science and mathematics teacher Ranjani Krishnan from Lincoln High School in Portland, Oregon, has garnered a coveted 2023 PAEMST Award. Photo credit: Lincoln High School

There are so many talented educators who have earned recognition for their expertise, creativity, and hard work in the classroom. One of these is Ranjani Krishnan, a high school  STEM teacher from Portland, Oregon. She has garnered a coveted 2023 PAEMST award.

The PAEMST, Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, recognize the dedication, hard work, and importance that America’s teachers play in supporting learners who will become future STEM professionals, including computer technologists, climate scientists, mathematicians, innovators, space explorers, and engineers. The PAEMST program, founded in 1983, is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The honor comes with a meeting with the President and a $10,000 cash prize.

Ranjani teaches computer technology and mathematics at Lincoln High School in Portland. She has worked there for seven years. Her efforts include participating in an annual schoolwide student-led Wellness Fair on her campus. During the pandemic, she orchestrated student research that resulted in a 3-D prototype of a face shield designed to protect health care workers in her city.

In addition to her work with students, Ranjani is also an accomplished musician. Her first album, released in 2015 and entitled Cream of Portland, offers musical selections that are a composite of many musical styles, Indian Classical, Flamenco, Balkan, North African, Jazz, Celtic, and Country.

The honored educator earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and another in Music Theory and Composition, both from Reed College in Portland. She earned a Master’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Illinois Urbana at Champaign, and a second Master’s degree in Mathematics Teacher Education from the Lewis and Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling.

Science teacher Seema Naik named one of Florida’s top teachers

Posted on by

Elementary school science teacher Seema Naik has been named one of Florida’s top teachers in 2023. Photo credit: Florida Department of Education

I always enjoy sharing stories about exceptional educators who have earned accolades for their work in the classroom. One of these is Seema Naik, an elementary school science teacher from Broward County, Florida. In 2023 she was named one of Florida’s top teachers. In fact, she was recognized as one of five finalists for her state’s Teacher of the Year.

Seema inaugurated her career in public schools more than ten years ago when she became a volunteer in her daughter’s classroom. She went on to become a cafeteria aide, and then accepted a position as a teacher’s assistant. “And then I realized the reward that I was getting, the pure joy that I was getting, was being around the children, and I began teaching,” Seema revealed. “I love working with kids,” she says. “Teaching is my destiny. I want to make a difference for my students,” she continued.

Today, Seema teaches fourth grade at Eagle Ridge Elementary School in Coral Springs, Florida. In her classroom, she blends innovative project-based learning with research-based instructional strategies to motivate her students. Born into a family of musicians from India, Seema regularly uses music as a teaching aide. She creates songs and chants with lyrics that incorporate her curriculum. In addition, she is passionate about teaching STEM subjects. In fact, in 2017, she founded her school’s first Robotics Club, and she continues to serve as the advisor for the group today.

Seema comes to the classroom with an extensive background in science. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in Vadodara, India, in 1984. She earned her Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Toronto in Canada in 1991. Additionally, she has completed the requirements for Alternative Certification for Educators from the Teaching and Leadership Center at Florida Atlantic University. In addition to her honors from the Florida Department of Education, she was named Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) Teacher of the Year at the 2022 Caliber Awards Ceremony.

NY STEM teacher Xue Qing Liang garners coveted PAEMST award

Posted on by

Science teacher Xue Qing Liang of Brooklyn, New York, has garnered a coveted 2023 PAEMST award. Photo credit: United Federation of Teachers

There are so many talented educators who have earned recognition for their hard work in the classroom. One of these is Xue Qing Liang, a high school science teacher from Brooklyn, New York. She has garnered a coveted 2023 PAEMST award.

The PAEMST, Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, recognize the dedication, hard work, and importance that America’s teachers play in supporting learners who will become future STEM professionals, including computer technologists, climate scientists, mathematicians, innovators, space explorers, and engineers. The PAEMST program, founded in 1983, is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The honor comes with a meeting with the President and a $10,000 cash prize.

Xue Qing teaches Chemistry at New Utrecht High School in Brooklyn. She has taught at the school for seven years. In her classroom, the honored teacher incorporates engineering design, role playing, and reflective discussions in her lesson plans. Her students act as investigators and solve a real-world problems. Furthermore, to help minimize language barriers, Xue Qing teaches a Chinese Bilingual Chemistry class.

In addition to her classroom lessons, Xue Qing is involved with her school’s Science Olympiad. Also, she has participated in Math for America where she co-designs environmentally sustainable labs by incorporating the principles of green chemistry. She has also participated in Engineering for Tomorrow, discussing students’ final projects with NASA engineers.

Xue Qing earned her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the College of Staten Island. She earned a Master’s degree in Science Education from CUNY Brooklyn College, and a second Master’s degree in Chinese from Hunter College. She also completed the requirements for an Advanced Certificate in Bilingual Education from Brooklyn College.

Sarah Lancaster named Minnesota’s first AAPI Teacher of the Year

Posted on by

Elementary teacher Sarah Lancaster of Onamia, Minnesota, is the first educator of Asian Pacific Islander descent to be named her state’s 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Brainerd Dispatch

It is always my pleasure to shine a spotlight on exemplary educators who have earned honors for their work with young people. Today, the spotlight falls on Sarah Lancaster, an elementary school teacher from Onamia, Minnesota. She was selected 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year for the state of Minnesota. Sarah is the first educator of Asian Pacific Islander descent to earn the honor.

Sarah teaches first graders in Onamia Public Schools District #480. Her career there spans ten years. This hardworking educator believes in the power of strong relationships and the importance of building connections with her students. Her teaching philosophy is student-centered, and emphasizes communication, consistency, and transparency. Teaching in a rural area has taught her the importance of culture and tradition, and recognizing a student’s individuality and identity. She makes every effort to connect not only with her students, but also with their families.

As a native-born resident of her home town, Sarah feels a strong sense of connection and dedication to her community. She seizes every opportunity to give back, including coaching over 20 seasons of athletics and arts programs, directing three of the annual high school musicals, and volunteering with local youth groups. She also serves as President of the Onamia Area Civic Association.

In addition, Sarah, who is half Filipino, has become more active in advocacy for an increase in persons of color in professions such as teaching. This representation can help more students overcome the things that are holding them back as students, she believes. “I can’t tell you the last time I saw a teacher of color as a speaker or panel member at a teacher conference,” Sarah says. She wants to change that.

Sarah earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Saint Cloud State University in 2013. In 2020, she completed the requirements for her Master’s degree in Curriculum Instruction and Design from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.