Recognition by the Presidential Award is a humbling experience. This award reminds teachers in America that efforts training future scientists are valued and appreciated. I am grateful for the support of my administration and for the collaboration I enjoy with amazing colleagues, all dedicated to educating young people. I deeply appreciate the encouragement of my family and their willingness to let me embrace my passion for science education.

Joy Killough Austin, TX | 7-12, Science, 2011

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

Joy Killough has been a science educator for more than 30 years. She has taught at Westwood High School in the Round Rock Independent School District (ISD) since 1991 and currently teaches Advanced Placement Biology, International Baccalaureate Biology, and ninth grade Accelerated Science. For the 2008–2009 school year, she served as the Endowed Science Chair for Kerrville ISD. Students in Joy’s classroom find innovative lessons and activities designed to make memorable connections through inquiry. Her favorite remarks from students start with why, how, and what if. University collaboration offered her students an opportunity to be published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information.  Joy participated in the Research Experiences for Teachers program supported by the National Science Foundation at the University of Texas at Austin, bringing new ideas to her classroom. In 2009, she served as President of the Texas Association of Biology Teachers. Joy is active in professional development and has conducted workshops throughout the United States. She enjoys working with teachers and sees it as another way to achieve her mission of training young people to value and understand science. Joy has a B.A. and an M.S from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. She has a composite science certificate.

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