Receiving the Presidential Award is validation that my life’s work has merit. As I reflect on my career in education, I know I have made a difference when students share their successes with me. But celebrating my own success earned through review and recognition from colleagues and scientists is both humbling and an honor unlike any other!

Dolores Garay Houston, TX | 7-12, Science, 2017

The official biography below was current at the time of the award. For this awardee's latest biographical information, see their profile page.

Dolores “Lollie” Garay has been an educator for 48 years, starting her career as a PreK teacher and eventually spending 30 years at Redd School, where she was a Lead Science Teacher/Science Projects Coordinator. Currently, she works with the Baylor College of Medicine, Center for Educational Outreach as Instructor in the School of Health Professions. There, she writes science curriculum, plans and conducts large-scale teacher professional development programs, and mentors K-12 students in after-school STEM clubs. Her experience with teacher/researcher partnerships makes her a strong advocate for initiating collaborations between scientists and classroom teachers. While teaching middle school science, robotics, and engineering, her passion for energizing student learning inspired many authentic research opportunities for her classrooms. These included the Students Monitoring Ocean Response to Eutrophication project, developed in partnership with University of Georgia marine scientist Patricia Yager, Ph.D. Lollie has been a member of Dr. Yager’s research team for 11 years. They have presented at the local, state and national levels and co-published works based on their shared polar expeditions. Lollie earned a B.A. in Spanish from the University of Houston, and a Master of Science Teaching in space physics/astronomy from Rice University

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