The Presidential Award gives new stature to dancing like a jellyfish and rapping about diabetes in front of teenagers. It recognizes long nights of writing comments on Science Fair reports, engaging students to watch compost rot, and holding my classes to high standards. I have appreciated the opportunity to reflect on my love of science and teaching. It is my goal for my students and me to do our individual best work each day. This award is a culmination of "best work."

Mary Jane Coles Frederiksted, VI | 7-12, Science, 2009

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

For the past 9 years of her 17-year teaching career, Jane Coles has been at The Good Hope School, where she chairs the science department and teaches Biology, Environmental Science, Marine Science, and Botany to Upper School students. Jane brings her enthusiasm and love for science each year to the coordination of Good Hope’s Intel-affiliated science fair. She actively engages all her Upper School students to participate and guides them through their independent study projects; she also coordinates teachers and independent judges for the 3-day event, making it a showcase of scholarship and inquiry. Those students whose work is judged the most innovative and scholarly are accompanied by Jane to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, where they compete with young scientists from all over the world. Working with teachers and students from all grade levels, Jane is involved in a variety of projects that support her love of science and teaching. This year, she started a 4-H club at the school focusing on animal husbandry and gardening. Jane has a B.A. and an M.S. in Biology from the State University of New York at Geneseo. She is certified to teach grades K-12.

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