It is an honor to be considered for a prestigious award for something I love to do. This honor is a result of working with great students, families, administrators, and colleagues. The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is an exceptional way to endorse the value of science and mathematics at the elementary level.

Cindy Piano Glendale, AZ | K-6, Science, 2012

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

Cindy Piano has been an educator for the past 16 years at Heritage Elementary School in the Peoria Unified School District. She is currently a second grade science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teacher. She previously taught third grade, second grade, and kindergarten. Upon walking into Cindy’s classroom, visitors are immediately greeted by two students who explain the learning objectives for the day. As visitors walk around, one group of students is working on digital microscopes, one group is working with iPods, and another is involved in a discovery lab with Cindy. Every student is engaged as they explore real-life and real-world application skills. Cindy runs a weekly afterschool Science Club that engages first through third grade students in exciting activities. Students connect literacy to science, mathematics, and engineering by reading and doing hands-on projects. Cindy is part of Heritage Elementary’s Signature Program, which is the only STEM program in the district. She has been instrumental in both designing and maintaining the success of the program. She is an active participant on many committees in her school and district. Cindy has a B.A. in elementary education from Arizona State University. She is certified as an elementary school teacher by the State of Arizona.

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