Although I didn’t go into teaching to receive any awards, nor were they expected, it is rewarding to realize that others can see the positive impact I’ve had on my students. Receiving the Presidential Award is an opportunity to network with other educators and policy makers in an effort to improve science education in our country as well as my local school. I also feel that receiving such a distinguished award enables students to feel a source of pride in their teacher and learning community.

Jennifer Richardson Greenbrier, AR | K-6, Science, 2012

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

Jennifer Richardson has taught school for 24 years. For the past 5 years, she has been the fifth grade science teacher for Wooster Elementary School in the Greenbrier School District. In addition to teaching science, Jennifer also coordinates the Wooster Environmental Science Club, which focuses on educating the community about environmental issues as well as finding solutions to problems in the local area. Jennifer is an educational leader in various organizations, both statewide and nationally. She serves on both state- and national-level Project Learning Tree committees and has presented at the national convention. Parental involvement is a leadership area on which she has presented at the state level, and she has served as committee chair for multiple Math and Science Parent Nights. Jennifer has also served as a mentor teacher for University of Central Arkansas STEM Teach students. Most recently, Jennifer served on Arkansas’ committee to review the Next Generation Science Standards.  Jennifer has a B.S. in elementary education from Arkansas Tech University. In 2010, she became a National Board Certified Middle Childhood Generalist.  She is currently certified in kindergarten through sixth grade elementary education.

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