The Presidential Award is the highest honor for a science educator. It is the affirmation of creative, thoughtful, intelligent, and passionate teaching with a focus on inspiring today’s youth. This award helps to fuel the fire and enthusiasm an educator has demonstrated on the path as a lifelong learner, providing a role model for students. Enriching the educational life of those students and being part of nurturing the development of young minds is in itself an honor.

Phyllis Glackman Merion, PA | K-6, Science, 2010

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

Penny Glackman has been an educator for more than 25 years and has taught at Merion Elementary School for the past 20 years. She is currently a third grade teacher. Students in Penny’s class are connecting to the real world in many ways, which include visits from astronauts, engineers, authors, and academicians. She inspires her students with her passion for aerospace and exploration, and she celebrates Space Day annually with her students by launching model rockets. Penny participates in her district’s Science Task Force, Green Council, and Cultural Proficiency Cadre. She has been a Technology Mentor and workshop leader. Penny has presented at conferences in science, both locally and nationally. Continually involved in professional development experiences, Penny has attended programs sponsored by NASA, the Civil Air Patrol, and the National Space Biomedical Research Institute. She is a member of the National Science Teachers Association Aerospace Committee and is educator liaison for the Philadelphia Section of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Penny has a B.A., magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, in psychology from the University of California, Berkeley. She has an M.A. in child development and education from Bryn Mawr College. Penny is certified in elementary education.

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