After a long and varied career, I must say that it is truly an honor to receive the Presidential Award. I began teaching science by chance and it quickly became my life’s passion. I have been fortunate to experience some amazing professional development opportunities that both inspired me and introduced me to some of the most talented science teachers. With the help of a supportive family, I continue to try to inspire my students to discover the scientist that lives within each of them.

Anneliese Bopp Sodus, NY | K-6, Science, 2018

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

Anneliese Bopp’s 28-year career in education began as a speech pathologist at the Rochester School for the Deaf and the Rochester City School District. She has now been teaching at Sodus Intermediate School for the past 20 years and currently teaches sixth grade science. A week on the Lake Guardian research vessel inspired Anneliese to create field experiences for students such as chemical tests of local soil and water, and biological monitoring of macroinvertebrates at a local stream. As a participant in the 2016 National STEM Scholar program, Anneliese secured funding to develop an aquaponics program. This allowed students to raise trout that were released into the same waters they had been monitoring. Anneliese was selected as a New York State master teacher and participated in the four-year professional development program which provided a wealth of resources and opportunities for collaboration with some of the best teachers in the state. She served as a sixth grade team leader and a building technology committee chairperson. She coached Science Olympiad, coordinates a science club, and provides STEM opportunities in an afterschool program. Anneliese earned a B.S. in social work from the University of West Florida and a M.S. in speech language pathology from Nazareth College of Rochester. She is certified in speech language pathology and elementary education.

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