Receiving the Presidential Award is an incredible honor! I teach students that science is life and life is science; for science is how the world around us works. I believe all students deserve a chance to grow their understanding of the world. The great equalizer; science allows students of all backgrounds and abilities to engage in meaningful, hands-on learning. Passionate science teachers nurture curiosity every day in their classrooms. I am a brave and fearless educator because of science!

Wendy Turner Wilmington, DE | K-6, Science, 2016

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

Changing careers at age 40, Wendy Turner taught gifted second grade at Mt. Pleasant Elementary School for seven years. Now in her eighth year, she teaches gifted third grade. Wendy creates a science-infused, high energy classroom. She uses STEM to develop a growth mindset, grit, and problem solving skills. Her young scientists develop investigations using Next Generation Science Standards. Her passion for the environment led to the establishment of a hands-on school garden program and community recycling events. With her leadership, Mt. Pleasant was named a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School in 2015. Wendy is also the 2017 Delaware Teacher of the Year. She completed Space Camp for Educators in Huntsville, Alabama and looks forward to incorporating into her classroom the STEM knowledge and space exploration history she gained there. She serves on the gifted instructional support team, mentors teaching students, regularly provides professional development to her peers, and helps out with the after school Robotics Club. She served as a next generation science teacher leader in Delaware and has also been a coach for Girls on the Run. Wendy earned a B.S., cum laude, in accounting from Boston College and a M.A. in elementary studies from Wilmington University. She’s certified to teach kindergarten to sixth grade as well as gifted and talented students.

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