Receiving the Presidential Award is a tremendous honor as I represent MSD of Wayne Township and the many exemplary science teachers in Indiana. My teaching philosophy is validated as a recipient of this award. Contrary to popular belief, chemistry can be both understandable and fun! Students can learn challenging concepts by doing meaningful lessons coupled with rich, hands-on laboratory experiences. To the many wonderful educators which have helped to influence and mold me, I am thankful.

Deanna York Indianapolis, IN | 7-12, Science, 2009

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

Deanna York has taught Chemistry for the past 20 years and has been at Ben Davis High School since 1997. Previously, she taught at Lakeland High School in Florida. She teaches Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Honors Chemistry. Deanna's forte is turning lectures into hands-on laboratory investigations and literacy activities. She uses inquiry labs for discovery, cookbook labs to teach content, and problem-based labs for authentic assessment. Each spring, Deanna's students perform a demonstration show for more than 100 fourth graders. As a teacher leader, Deanna has served as a Building Literacy Leader, School Improvement Plan Chair, Lead Chemistry Teacher, president of the Indiana Alliance of Chemistry Teachers, and Question Writer for the National Panasonic Academic Tournament. She has presented numerous workshops at the local, state, and national levels. Deanna has received many honors and awards for excellence in teaching. She is the 2003 Indiana University Armstrong Educator recipient and 2002 Golden Apple recipient, and she has been selected numerous times by a Ben Davis Top 30 Senior as that student's most influential teacher. Deanna has a B.S. in Secondary Education and an M.A. in General Science from Ball State University. She is the author of two Teacher Friendly Chemistry laboratory manuals.

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