The Presidential Award process has aided my ongoing efforts to increase my effectiveness as a science teacher by giving me the opportunity to examine my practices against the highest standards. It has prompted me to justify effective strategies based on evidence of student achievement. But, more importantly, it has encouraged me to continue my quest to meet the learning needs of each learner and foster high achievement of all students I serve, especially those at risk.

Angela Hejl Yankton, SD | 7-12, Science, 2009

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

Angela Hejl has taught at Yankton High School for the past 16 years and is Science Department Chair. She teaches Biology and Advanced Placement Biology. She has also taught chemistry and mathematics. Angela advises the Science Club and Science Olympiad, and she has served on many school improvement committees. She developed a student self-assessment tool that facilitates collaboration with students and their parents in addressing student achievement problems. It is now used by a school counselor and other teachers. As adjunct faculty at Mount Marty College, Angela teaches Special Methods for Science Teaching to future science teachers. She also taught various college science courses while pursuing graduate studies and has worked as a health educator. Angela's awards include Outstanding Biology Teacher of South Dakota and Yankton School District Teacher of the Year. She has contributed considerable time to State education task forces, including groups that developed science end-of-course assessments and standards alignment. Angela has a B.A. in Nursing/Biology/Education from Mount Marty College and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of South Dakota. She is National Board Certified in science.

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