The Presidential Award means that my students value the lessons I've taught them, since it was a student who nominated me. Working with students has been most gratifying. The challenge to captivate with science has sometimes been difficult, but always rewarding. I am a scientist by training but a teacher by vocation. Teaching the wonders of science is my passion, and this award would validate that. I would also like to inspire and be an example to other science teachers. 

Judith Martínez Caguas, PR | 7-12, Science, 2011

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

Judith Martinez has been teaching chemistry and physics for 15 years at Colegio Catolico Notre Dame High School. She teaches Honors Chemistry, Honors Physics, and Advanced Placement Chemistry. She is also the Science Department Chair. She modified the entire science curriculum and installed some needed innovations. A member of the American Chemical Society (ACS), Judith was co-chair of High School Teacher's Day at the 2009 regional meeting. She helped coordinate a series of low-cost, hands-on activities for teachers to use in the chemistry classroom. As the Chemistry Club mentor, she meets with students after school and prepares them for various competitions. For 15 years, her students have won first place at the local ACS Olympiad, and from 2006 to 2012, they dominated four out of the six Regional Science Bowls sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. As a result, her students have proudly represented Puerto Rico at the National Science Bowl competitions held in Washington, DC, each year. Among other awards, Judith was honored in 2009 with the Lucy Gaspar Award for Excellence in Science Education by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Caribbean Chapter. Judith has a B.S., cum laude, in chemistry from the Inter American University and a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Puerto Rico.

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