Tag Archives: STEM teachers

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.

NYC STEM teacher Laginne Walker garnered 2024 Sloan Award

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New York City STEM educator Laginne Walker of New York has garnered a 2024 Sloan Award for Excellence in Teaching Science and Mathematics. Photo Credit: Fund for the City of New York

It is always my pleasure to shine a spotlight on exceptional educators who have earned honors for their work in the classroom. One of these is Laginne Walker, a STEM teacher from New York City. She has garnered a 2024 Sloan Award for Excellence in Teaching Science and Mathematics.

Laginne teaches STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) courses in Algebra and Computer Science at the Bronx Engineering and Technology Academy. She has worked there for the pat seven years. The school, founded in 2004, was originally funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, but currently is funded with public school monies.

Laginne was raised in a home characterized by diversity and a strong sense of social justice. Her mother, an occupational therapist, emphasized the value of education, while her father, from a military family, taught her the importance of hard work. As a young woman, Laginne attended Lick-Wilmerding, a private high school in San Francisco that enrolled students from diverse backgrounds. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Wesleyan in 2001. She earned her first Master’s degree in Mathematics Education from Brooklyn College in 2006, and a second Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Pace University in 2007.

As a Master Teacher at Math for America, Laginne has both organized and participated in professional development workshops and courses. Through her hard work and self-determination, she became competent in computer science, which enabled her to create computer science courses for students and establish a computer science curriculum for the school where she teaches.

In addition to her Sloan Award, Laginne has earned several other accolades. She was honored with the UFT Excellence in Education Award for High School in 2020; she was named a FLAG Award for Teaching Excellence semi-finalist in 2020; and she received an honorable mention for the Greater New York City NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Educator Award from the National Center for Women & Information Technology in 2020. In 2019, she garnered a UFT Champions of Computer Science Award.

To learn more, view this three-minute You Tube video.

Dr. Roy Biñas Basa has been named New Mexico’s 2024 Teacher of the Year

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Dr. Roy Biñas Basa of Zuni, New Mexico, has been named his state’s 2024 Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: New Mexico Public Education Department

I always enjoy sharing the story of an exceptional educator who has earned accolades for their work in the classroom. One of these is Dr. Roy Biñas Basa, a STEM teacher from Zuni, New Mexico.

Roy teaches natural science and career and technical courses to high school students in grades nine through twelve at both Twin Buttes Cyber Academy and Zuni High School.

Most of Roy’s curriculum involves project-based activities, such as making fatty acid methyl esters from selected plant seeds as an alternative biofuel. That project garnered the 2022 New Mexico Governor’s STEM Challenge. Roy’s students also make motors and generators, solar panels, simple robots, and windmills.

Roy earned his Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with a major in General Science; his Master’s degree in Education with a major in School Administration and Supervision; and his PhD in Educational Management. He earned all of his degrees at the University of Negros Occidental, Recoletos. While studying there, Roy’s academic excellence was recognized with awards such as High Academic Distinction and Outstanding in Dissertation. While still engaged in ongoing studies for his Master’s of Education in Special Education at Western Colleges, he also earned a Master’s of Education in Natural Science from the University of St. La Salle. He has also obtained Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) certification, an International Teaching License, and successful completion of the Licensure Examination for Teachers in the Philippines. He has also authored a number of books. To view a list of his books click on this link to roybasa.com.

Roy is a dedicated educator who has made significant contributions to the field, being recognized with numerous awards and honors from local, regional, national and international organizations. His pedagogical priorities revolve around fostering an inclusive learning environment where every student’s unique needs and perspectives are valued, ensuring that high-quality education is accessible to all and empowering students to reach their full potential.

To read more about Roy Biñas Basa, click on this link to the New Mexico Department of Public Education.