The Presidential Award is recognition for all of the hard work, reflection, and passion I have put forth towards teaching over the years. It provides me the unique opportunity to meet and talk with the other awardees and our country’s policymakers. Being nominated by a colleague I deeply respect for such a prestigious award was a very gratifying sentiment, but to actually receive an award of this magnitude and have this opportunity to go to the White House is amazing beyond words.

David Bonner Darien, IL | 7-12, Science, 2011

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

David Bonner has taught physics for 8 years at Hinsdale South High School. He has taught a variety of physics courses, including Conceptual, Regular, Honors, and Advanced Placement Physics C to students in grades 9, 11, and 12. At Hinsdale South High School, David founded an action research team of teachers from a variety of disciplines. He also founded a math-science alignment team aimed at helping students better connect overlapping mathematics and science concepts. David strives to help his students connect physics to their everyday lives through engaging, hands-on activities. He constantly seeks new strategies, while also developing his own ideas. His ideas have been published in journals such as The Science Teacher and The Physics Teacher, and he presents at conferences, including the annual conferences for the Illinois Science Teacher Association and National Science Teacher Association. His most recent work is in the areas of teaching and learning error analysis and experimentation skills. David has a B.A. in physics and an M.A.T. in adolescent science education from Miami University. He is also completing a Ph.D. program in curriculum and instruction at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is certified to teach physics and earth science to grades 7-12.

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