It is an honor to receive the Presidential Award for doing something I truly enjoy—teaching science. During my career I’ve been fortunate to be able to collaborate with colleagues who are both knowledgeable in their fields and always improving their teaching. This has challenged me to continually reflect on my teaching and its impact on student learning. I’m excited and grateful to have the privilege of meeting with some of the best science and math teachers in the Nation to “talk shop.”

Stephen Fannin Tallahassee, FL | 7-12, Science, 2011

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

Steve Fannin has taught various science courses at Lincoln High School for 31 years. He currently teaches Chemistry and Advanced Placement Chemistry. As the lesson study facilitator for his department since 2004, Steve is working with Learning Systems Institute to develop a Web-based lesson study toolkit that will be available to teachers throughout the State. He has also presented sessions on lesson study at three conferences in the last year. To keep up with the latest science inquiry teaching strategies, Steve is participating in the Argument-Driven Inquiry Implementation Project at Florida State University. As part of that project, he will attend a 5-week institute this summer, and next year he will implement the strategies in his classroom. To continue expanding his content knowledge, he will attend a 3-day QuarkNet workshop this summer that focuses on current topics in the physical sciences. From 2009 to 2011, Steve was a science curriculum developer for the school district, in addition to teaching his classes. Steve has a B.S. in biology from Florida State University. He is certified in high school biology and chemistry and has a gifted education endorsement. He is a National Board Certified Teacher.

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