To be a winner of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Math is quite a humbling experience. It is the top national award in science and math and given to teachers who have devoted their careers to teaching science and math. I am humbled by winning such an honor, yet I know that my efforts in winning this award are attributable to my incredible students who inspire me to be a better teacher.

Lisa Hartman New Orleans, LA | 7-12, Science, 2009

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

Lisa Hartman has taught science for 12 years and is currently teaching Chemistry I Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry at Ben Franklin High School in New Orleans, LA. In fall 2008, Lisa and her team at the University of New Orleans Advanced Materials Research Institute were published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry. Lisa has led faculty workshops, such as a technical writing workshop, and been part of several committees, including a projects and priorities committee, a professional development committee, and the school improvement committee. Lisa has reached out to universities to help her students make career choices and increase their science knowledge. Her AP Chemistry students have worked with the chemistry department at the University of New Orleans on a nanotechnology project, and they will also be attending a workshop on integrating computers into the sciences. Lisa has a B.S. in Biology from Louisiana State University, and she will receive an M.Ed. from the University of New Orleans in May 2010. She holds a Louisiana teaching certificate and is certified to teach biology, chemistry and general science.

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