Teachers do not become educators to gain notoriety or fame. Individuals enter the field of education to help others and to improve the future of our country. As an educator, I feel a responsibility for the well-being of the children within my care and the people they will become as adults in our society. I believe that the Presidential Award is a way our country can honor teachers for the invaluable sacrifices they make in order to help the people of the United States of America.

Amanda McGehee Dunwoody, GA | K-6, Science, 2010

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

Amanda McGehee has taught fifth grade science at Dunwoody Elementary for the past 2 years. Previously, she taught third and fifth grade at Vanderlyn Elementary School in Dunwoody, GA. As the Science Department Chair, Amanda served as a mentor for other teachers of science in her school, encouraging others to excite and motivate students through "being there" experiences. Additionally, she has served as a District Science Trainer and has planned and led professional learning for science across her district. She continually promotes her dream of providing real-life science experiments to all students. Amanda models the importance of being involved and giving back to the community. She created her school’s environmental committee, which included waste-reduction efforts, a farm-to-fork club, and a student-led environmental blog. She has served on her school’s Parent-Teacher Organization board as the vice president of academic affairs, overseeing academic competitions, the media center program, and the school’s cultural arts events. Amanda has a B.S. in elementary education and an M.S., magna cum laude, in educational leadership from Florida State University. She holds certifications in elementary education, middle grades education, gifted education, and educational leadership.

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