The Presidential Award represents a celebration of mathematics and science education. It is a joy for me to share my passion for science with my students, and it is extremely gratifying to work in a profession that allows me to continue learning along with them. I strive to support my science students and science education colleagues. Working with others in the science education profession continually inspires me to grow as a researcher and practitioner.

Billie Long Cleveland, TN | 7-12, Science, 2019

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

Billie “Jeannie” Long has been a science educator for 20 years and has spent the past 19 years teaching biology and environmental science to 9th-12th grade students at Cleveland High School. She also serves as an adjunct instructor at Cleveland State Community College, teaching dual enrollment biology and environmental science at Cleveland High. Jeannie’s commitment to providing opportunities for students to engage in extracurricular science activities has resulted in her serving as a Science Olympiad coach, environmental club sponsor, and a science National Honor Society sponsor at her school. Jeannie empowers her students to protect freshwater resources in Tennessee while engaging in environmental field research. She developed an ongoing project focusing on Mouse Creek, a local stream. This project allows students to work with community leaders and local biologists to monitor and protect this stream ecosystem. Students in her Aquatic Biology Scientific Research class have designed and conducted original scientific research and have been invited to present their research at state and national level junior science symposia. Jeannie served on the Tennessee Science Teachers Association Board for seven years and has presented sessions on engaging students in scientific research at education conferences. Jeannie earned a B.A. in psychology, a B.S. in secondary natural science: biology, and a M.S. in environmental science, all from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She is currently completing a doctorate in the Theory and Practice in Teacher Education Department at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Jeannie is certified in biology and is National Board Certified in adolescence and young adulthood science: biology.

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