Celebrating our Award-Winning Science Education Alums!
Our Science Education alumni have been busy! In addition to Tamara Araya and Angelica Gunderson, here are some more of our alumni out there winning awards and making news.
Kelly Kveton
Kelly was selected by the National Association of Biology Teachers as California’s 2022 Outstanding Biology Teacher Award recipient.
Every year, the Outstanding Biology Teacher Award (OBTA) program attempts to recognize an outstanding biology educator (grades 7-12 only) in each of the 50 states; Washington, DC; Canada; Puerto Rico; and overseas territories. Candidates for this award do not have to be NABT members, but they must have at least three years of public, private, or parochial school teaching experience. A major portion of the nominee's career must have been devoted to the teaching of biology/life science, and candidates are judged on their teaching ability and experience, cooperativeness in the school and community, and student-teacher relationships.
OBTA recipients are special guests of Carolina Biology Supply Company at the Honors Luncheon held at the NABT Professional Development Conference, receive gift certificates from Carolina Biological Supply Company, resources from other sponsors, award certificates, and complimentary one-year membership from NABT.
Shawn Kirby
Shawn was selected as the 2022 STEM Teacher of the Year for the Coachella Valley by the Air Force Association, as well as the STEM Teacher of the Year for the entire state of California.
STEM teachers shape the future of our nation - introducing students to exciting new concepts and offering a glimpse into what's possible. The very best educators transform learning into a boundless adventure and prepare their classes to explore new frontiers of technology for the good of us all. Along with grants and scholarships, the Air & Space Forces Association believes that recognizing those who educate America's youth is an important aspect of what AFA is all about. Every year, AFA's Teacher of the Year program honors the commitment and achievements of these extraordinary teachers.
Shawn is vice president for High Schools of the Southern California chapter of the American Association of Physics Teachers. He earned his teaching credential at CSULB in 2017. He now helps many new physics teachers learn skills to help their students.
Wendy Toro
Wendy was selected as one of the winners of Intuit's 100 Champions Contest for LA County championing for student success. As a result, Wendy was interview by the LA Times. View article: Intuit is helping L.A. students build a brighter future.
Preparing students for future success starts with the teachers who are championing them today. Intuit is recognizing 100 LA teachers who are making an impact beyond the classroom with care packages to support their work.
Wendy is currently a high school science teacher teaching Biology and Chemistry. Wendy is also a mentor at Cerritos College through the Teacher TRAC program mentoring STEM students wishing to become high school science teachers themselves.
