Being grouped with elite educators humbles me. Accolades normally come in the form of student successes. This honor spotlights what I do, and for that, I'm deeply touched. To know I've inspired students to become engineers, doctors, science teachers, and community leaders has always been reward enough. But this award puts into perspective what teaching is all about: having an impact. If I've done that, then this award has made all my years teaching worthwhile.

Marsha Tyson Columbia, MO | 7-12, Science, 2009

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

Marsha Tyson has been a ninth grade Physics and Honors Physics teacher at Oakland Junior High for 13 years. She also teaches pre-service science methods for the education department at the University of Missouri. Marsha has participated in a nuclear engineering workshop, NASA’s teacher education workshop, and the Physics First Professional Development. She challenges her students while offering them support. Marsha has been a leader in her district and in 2005 was named a Professional Development Classroom Teacher. She was instrumental in promoting the switch to Physics First for ninth graders and acted as a curriculum reviewer for the National Science Foundation grant. Marsha was nominated by faculty for Teacher of the Year in 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003, and 2006. In 2009, she was recognized as the Science Teacher of Missouri. In 2010, she was named the Columbia Public Schools Junior High Teacher of the Year. Outside the classroom, Marsha leads Science Olympiad; co-coordinates Saturday Science; and teaches the Missouri Scholars Academy, a program sponsored by the University of Missouri. Marsha has a B.S. and an M.S. in Secondary Science Education from the University of Missouri. She is certified in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics and is a National Board Certified Teacher.

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