Within my classroom, my students have the opportunity to be seen and dream; to make sense of the world and change it for the better. The Presidential Award is validation to my students that this process works. It shows them that it’s OK to dream big, make mistakes, and learn a lot. The award demonstrates that not only do I believe in them, someone else does too; it elevates our practice as educators in a meaningful way. This award renews my commitment to the world's most important job: teaching!

Margaret Richard Olathe, KS | 7-12, Science, 2019

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

Margaret “Meg” Richard has been a seventh grade science educator and leader for a decade. Margaret is currently in her second year as a seventh grade science teacher at Summit Trail Middle School, which she helped open in 2018, and was previously at California Trail Middle School for eight years. Margaret is passionate about equity in science education and about integrating authentic, hands-on science experiences in her instructional practice to promote students' making sense of phenomena. Margaret supports her students by empowering them to embrace their sense of wonder while helping them to see themselves as the amazing scientists they are. Margaret is a Science Olympiad coach and co-sponsors the Kansas Association of Youth at her school. She is the lead science teacher and a member of the district science leadership team. Margaret is energetic about her collaboration as a Teaching Channel “science laureate” and also works with 100kin10 as a teacher forum leader and project team member. Her 100kin10 projects have examined “Addressing Implicit Bias in the STEM classroom” and “Developing Three Dimensional Feedback with Next Generation Science Lessons.” Margaret has received several grants and has presented both locally and nationally on topics of authentic phenomena integration and equity. Margaret is Nationally Board Certified in Early Adolescence Science and is honored that she gets to do the best job in the world: teach! Margaret earned a B.A. from Central Methodist College, a M.B.A. from Baker University, a M.A.T. from University of Central Missouri State University, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in social and cultural studies in education from the University of Kansas. Margaret is certified in siddle school science, sixth through ninth grade.

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