Receiving the Presidential Award is a humbling experience and truly an honor. My students, colleagues, and family have motivated me to find engaging ways to approach science in the classroom. The reward of watching students develop questioning skills and seeing them make meaningful connections with the mysteries of the world around them makes teaching a joy. I try to help my students make the best use of the gifts they are given, and I will do the same, to improve the understanding of science.

Patricia Works Lexington, KY | K-6, Science, 2012

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

Patti Works is starting her 31st year of teaching and has spent the last 18 years in an elementary Science Lab. This is her 14th year at Cassidy Elementary School. Previously, she taught at Yates Elementary, Paris Elementary, and Maxwell Elementary in Maxwell, IA. In her building, Patti served on the Site Based Decision Making Council, coordinated Academic Challenge Teams, and taught summer school for refugee students. She served as a resource teacher in the Kentucky Internship Program and supervises students from three universities. Patti served as a member of state committees on Kentucky science standards revision, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) review, and science materials adoption. She is a member of the State Science Leadership Network and leads her district network, facilitating professional learning communities and content academies for 35 elementary schools.n As a presenter for the Partnership Institute of Math and Science Education Reform, Patti has led sessions on content literacy and the NGSS. Patti was the 2006 Kentucky Elementary Science Teacher of the Year. Patti has a B.S. in child development from Iowa State University and an M.A. in elementary education from Georgetown College. She has Rank I certification through the Kentucky Department of Education Continuing Education Option.  She is certified in kindergarten through eighth grade elementary education.

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