The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is an achievement of the highest mark and a tremendous honor. Receiving such an esteemed award reflects my students’ eagerness to learn, my colleagues’ support and collaboration efforts, and my passion for teaching and learning. This award brings such positive recognition to the instruction of mathematics and science and the need to focus on these areas in order to prepare our children for challenges yet to be discovered. 

Laurie Graves Sheridan, WY | K-6, Science, 2012

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

Laurie Graves has been an educator for 19 years and has spent the last 15 years teaching first and third grade at Tongue River Elementary and Big Horn Elementary schools in Sheridan County School District One. She will be embracing a new challenge in the next school year, teaching fifth grade at Big Horn Elementary School. Laurie’s passion for education extends to the postsecondary level, where she has taught Children’s Literature and Foundations of Education as an adjunct professor at Sheridan Community College. Laurie has also welcomed and mentored many student teachers over the years. Engaging students in project-based learning is Laurie’s preferred style of teaching. She loves to watch students be actively engaged and driven by their own inquiry of learning. Being the recipient of a Research Experiences for Teachers grant allowed Laurie to be a learner while participating in caterpillar research in Ecuador. Sharing this experience and project-based learning ideas with student teachers and colleagues is a continuing source of joy and excitement for Laurie. Laurie has a B.S. in elementary education from Montana State University and is currently completing a master’s degree in K-12 educational leadership from Walden University. She is a National Board Certified Middle Childhood Generalist and is certified in elementary education and middle school social studies.

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