Tag Archives: STEM teachers

NYC STEM educator Jessica Boyle garners a 2024 Sloan Award

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For her outstanding work in the classroom, New York City STEM teacher Jessica Boyle has garnered a 2024 Sloan Award for Excellence in Teaching Science and Mathematics. Photo Credit: City of New York

When New York City science teacher Jessica Boyle leads her students in their hands-on study of human cardiovascular systems, diseases, and other scientific investigations, she is creating an exciting world of critical thinking, rigor, and experimentation that prepares her students for college and career readiness. For this outstanding work, Jessica has garnered a 2024 Sloan Award for Excellence in Teaching Science and Mathematics.

Jessica’s passion for science can be traced all the way back to her own days as a student, when she attended a lecture by world-renowned anthropologist and primatologist Jane Goodall. That lecture triggered Jessica’s interest in physical anthropology. As a result, she completed courses in osteology, human genetics, and archeology, and even participated in a dig site in Illinois during her summers. Eventually, this passion led Jessica to complete her Master’s degree in Anthropology at New York University, an internship with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for New York City, and an internship as an anthropological consultant at New York University’s College of Dentistry.

When Jessica accepted a position as a science education teacher in 2006, she was assigned to instruct courses in biology, earth science, forensic anthropology, and anatomy and physiology. As an after school program, she introduced curriculum in human biology and disease. In 2013, Jessica was hired by the Knowledge and Power Preparatory Academy, where she served as a member of the Instructional Leadership Team, the Chair of the Science Department, and a Model Teacher. She also served as a mentor with the Mentoring in Medicine program where she helped under-represented students enter the medical field.

For her outstanding work as a STEM (Science, Technology, engineering, and Mathematics) educator, Jessie is one of seven educators who have garnered a 2024 Sloan Award for Excellence in Teaching Science and Mathematics. The award spotlights teachers who go above and beyond to help their students succeed, inspiring young people to excel in science and mathematics and to pursue careers in related fields. Each recipient receives a crystal trophy and a cash prize of $5,000. An additional $2,000 goes to the school’s Science or Mathematics Department. To learn more, click on this link to the Sloan Awards.

TX teacher Lauren Parker participates in NASA Embedded Teacher program

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Junior high school science teacher Lauren Parker inspires her students at Fort Worth Academy in Texas. She was one of eight teachers selected to participate in a NASA Embedded Teacher program. Through this program, she serves as a Limitless Space Institute Educator Ambassador, an International Space Station (ISS) National Lab Space Station Ambassador, and a Tony Space Foundation Teacher Liaison. Lauren is also a winner of the Excellence in Education Award.

Lauren earned her Bachelor’s degree in Science Education in 2006 and her Master’s degree in Middle School Education in 2007, both from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. She has taught at Fort Worth Academy for the past nine years.

STEM educator Corey Hafer named Delaware’s 2024 Teacher of the Year

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STEM educator Corey Hafer has been named Delaware’s 2024 State Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: Delaware Live

There are many outstanding educators in the United States who are deserving of recognition for the work they do with our young people. Some of them are honored each year by education officials in the state where they live. One of these is Cory Hafer, a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) teacher from Delaware. He has been named his state’s 2024 Teacher of the Year.

Corey earned his Bachelor’s degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology at the University of Michigan in 2009. Soon after, he began work as a research technician for infectious diseases at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. While there, he discovered a passion for teaching, so he volunteered to lead learning experiences in the lab for students in New York City Public Schools. He returned to the university to continue his education, earning a Master’s degree in Biology Education from Columbia University in 2012.

Once he earned his Master’s degree, Cory accepted a position as a classroom teacher in Brooklyn. He taught chemistry, biology, forensic science, and theory of knowledge. Today, he teaches engineering courses at Middletown High School in Middletown, Delaware. He also advises the Technology Student Association and coaches tennis there. He has taught at Middletown since 2019. In all, his career as an educator spans 11 years.

“There are so many things I enjoy about teaching,” says Corey. “The first that comes to mind is always the excitement that shows on students’ faces when they finally realize they can do something challenging that they didn’t realize they could do,” he reveals. “When we start off year three of engineering, many students are intimidated by the equations they have to master. The first time they can apply the skill and realize they have mastered it is fun to watch!” he continues. “But even more than that, it is the learning that comes with teaching. Teaching concepts makes you learn them more deeply,” he concludes.

To read more about Corey Hafer, click on this link to an interview published by Appoquinimink School District.

Science teacher Bryn Zingrebe honored by Illinois State Board of Education

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High school science teacher Bryn Zingrebe has been named to the Illinois State Board of Education Teacher of the Year Cohort as the 2024 Outstanding Early Career Educator. Photo Credit: The Chicago Reporter

Congratulations to secondary school science teacher Bryn Zingrebe. She has been named to the Illinois State Board of Education Teacher of the Year Cohort as a 2024 Outstanding Early Career Educator.

Bryn currently teaches at Evergreen Park Community High School. There she instructs courses in Advanced Placement and Honors Chemistry. She also serves as the Assistant Cross Country Coach, the Assistant Track and Field Coach for both boys and girls, a BRIDGE Teacher and Mentor, and Leadership Sponsor. This is her fourth year at the school.

“Learning from my students has been one of the most enjoyable and rewarding aspects of teaching at EPCHS,” declares Bryn. “My students share new knowledge with me every day. Listening and learning from my knowledgeable teens has led to improvement in my character, a deeper understanding of effective teaching techniques, and has improved my ability to deliver science content in a meaningful and relevant way,” she continues.

Bryn earned her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Illinois State University in 2020. She completed a Master’s degree in Teaching and Learning with a concentration in English as a Second Language from the University of St. Francis in 2023. She is currently working on a Master’s degree in Chemistry from the Ohio University.

Bryn is one of 15 teachers throughout the state of Illinois who were selected to the cohort, according to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). The ISBE annually selects Regional Teachers of the Year, an Outstanding Early Career Educator and Bilingual, Special Education, and Early Childhood Teachers of the Year to be members of the Illinois Teachers of the Year Cohort.

RI STEM teacher Elizabeth “Liz” Patterson wins prestigious award

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Rhode Island STEM teacher Elizabeth “Liz” Patterson has been named the 2023 Carol Giuriceo Computer Science Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: Computer Science 4 Rhode Island

I am always eager to share the story of an exceptional educator who is working in one of our nation’s public schools. Today, I shine the spotlight on Elizabeth Patterson, a high school STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) teacher from Portsmouth, Rhode Island. She was named the 2023 Dr. Carol Giurica Computer Science Teacher of the Year.

The annual award traces it’s origin back to 2021, when the Rhode Island Computer Science (CS) Teacher of the Year Award was established in honor of educator Dr. Carol Giuriceo, a frontrunner and champion of Computer Science instruction throughout the state of Rhode Island. Carol was passionate about including a variety of perspectives in all areas of her work. The award recognizes teachers who embody and advance the impact of Carol’s work through collaboration, leadership, and innovation. Elizabeth Patterson, who was actually a participant in the team that worked closely with Carol to develop the Rhode Island State Computer Science standards, is certainly a worthy candidate for the award. Liz has a history of advocating vociferously for Computer Science in her school and district, which has led to increased opportunities for all Portsmouth students to engage in and further pursue computer science.

Elizabeth, who prefers to be called “Liz”, teaches STEM courses at Portsmouth High School. She teaches Math, Computer Science, and Advanced Placement Computer Science. In her courses, Liz includes lessons on Java, video game development, and computer science principles. In 2014, she advised a team of 10 students from her school as they participated in a computer competition run by the US Air Force to help combat cyberterrorism. Acting as a team, the students worked to discover such threats as malware, password violations, and unnecessary services as part of the CyberPatriot Defense Program.

To learn more about Elizabeth Patterson or Dr. Carol Giurica, click here.