Although teachers are not in the profession for acknowledgment, teaching requires dedication, sacrifice, and persistent reflection. The more a teacher gives of herself, the greater the level of confirmation needed that a job is well done. The Presidential Award meets the level, matched only by the opinions of my respected colleagues and students. Receiving the Presidential Award also provides opportunities to expand my perspectives by collaborating with other teachers beyond my local network.

Rebecca Morales Broken Arrow, OK | 7-12, Science, 2011

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

Rebecca Morales taught at Oologah High School for 4 years, Union Intermediate High School for 7 years, and Union High School for 1 year. She has taught many science subjects at many levels, but mostly chemistry. She coordinated the Science Fair for both districts as well as the Einstein Club. She actively involves students in the University of Tulsa’s (TU) Physics Journal Club and holds Advanced Placement Chemistry study groups twice a week. Along with her experience, Rebecca's professional assets include her colleagues, her work with Oklahoma’s Master Teacher Project, and her work with TU and Mid-Continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL). The Master Teacher Project began her role as principal investigator (PI), with Co-PI Jerry McCoy and TU. Working with more than 80 teachers for 3 years exposed Rebecca to a diverse set of teaching situations and affirmed that Oklahoma has many devoted teachers. Working with McREL to use content literacy and the Cosmic Chemistry 2-week summer science program to encourage chemistry enrollment also enhanced her teaching skills. In 2007, Rebecca was Union Intermediate High School Teacher of the Year. Rebecca has a B.S. in secondary education from Oklahoma State University. She is certified in all secondary science and is a National Board Certified Teacher.

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