As a teacher, I work in a complex ecosystem of relationships and connections:  teacher-student, teacher-colleague, and teacher-administrator.  My successes are a direct result of those connections, which speaks to the caliber of my colleagues and students. I am incredibly fortunate to work alongside individuals who push me to be at my best each and every day. I am honored to represent these individuals as a Presidential Award Recipient.

Jeffrey Milbourne Durham, NC | 7-12, Science, 2013

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

Jeff Milbourne teaches 11th and 12th grade Physics for seven years at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM). Prior to joining NCSSM, he was a science teacher at Croatan High School in Newport, NC. In 2015, Jeff is serving as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow in the Office of U.S. Congressman Mike Honda. In his time at NCSSM, Jeff has served as Physics Chair, Faculty Senator, and Board of Trustees Liaison. He has also mentored new faculty and worked with local undergraduates interested in science teaching. Jeff believes that the most significant learning moments occur in student conversations:  conversations about data collection strategies, debates about the best interpretation of the data, or discussions about solution strategies for a particular problem. Students learn best when they are talking with one another, exploring ideas in ill-defined spaces. As such, Jeff focuses his instructional energy on creating environments where students can have sophisticated, scientific conversations.  Jeff has a B.S. in Physics and a M.A.T., both from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is National Board Certified and is currently a doctoral candidate in Science Education at North Carolina State University.

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