I am deeply humbled to be selected, along with other outstanding teachers from across our nation, for the Presidential Award. The opportunity to meet and participate in special trainings with these exceptional educators is exciting and motivating. This award validates the extra effort I provided to my students to ensure mathematics and science knowledge and leadership for the next generation.

Stephanie Kawamura Parker, CO | K-6, Science, 2016

The official biography below was current at the time of the award.

Stephanie Ashworth Kawamura teaches all subjects for fifth and sixth grade in a self-contained, gifted and talented classroom for the Douglas County School District’s Discovery Program. She has been teaching at Pine Lane Elementary for 20 years. Stephanie has served on committees for her school and district, including Technology Team, site council, Gifted and Talented Leadership Team, and Health and Wellness Champ. She has also enjoyed facilitating multiple staff development sessions in the areas of mathematics, gifted and talented, and creativity in the classroom. Stephanie leads multiple enrichment opportunities for students such as Space Camp, Creative Writing Club, Math Masters, and the student-led Wellness Team. Outside of school, Stephanie is a Teacher Liaison for the Space Foundation, has worked with the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study, piloting new lessons while being filmed for professional development sessions, served on the National Advisory Committee for the Elementary Education Content Knowledge for Teaching Science Examination, and presented at the 2016 National Association for Gifted and Talented Conference. Stephanie holds a B.S. in human development and family studies from Colorado State University and a M.A. in special education: gifted and talented from the University of Northern Colorado. She is a certified gifted and talented elementary teacher.

Know a great teacher like Stephanie Kawamura?