A good work ethic and a commitment to goals are qualities that I find of great importance for those seeking successful lives. I attempt to teach my students by example to be hard workers and give their best effort in class and in life every day. Simply being nominated encouraged me to find new ways to reach and teach students.  Receiving the Presidential Award is an affirmation of the idea that no matter who you are or where you are from, if you work hard, you can accomplish great things. 

Amanda Jones Poyen, AR | 7-12, Science, 2013

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

Amanda Jones has been an educator for 15 years and has spent the last 12 years teaching at Poyen High School. Currently, she teaches 10th -12th grade students in Chemistry, Physics, Biology, AP Biology, Environmental Science, Anatomy & Physiology, College Biology, and College Environmental Science. Since 2005, she has taught as adjunct faculty for the College of the Ouachitas in Malvern, AR. Amanda has collaborated with Vanderbilt University's Aspirnaut Program to build an on-site afterschool science program for students from 3rd grade through high school. She also mentored the robotics team and spearheads the Poyen Academic Banquet, which honors students for academic excellence. In addition, she developed an ACT Prep course for students and works closely with participants to prepare them for college.  Amanda was named Grant County Teacher of the Year 2005, Arkansas' Outstanding Biology Teacher of the Year of 2012, and Arkansas Senior Beta Club State Sponsor 2013-2015.  Amanda has a B.S. in biology, summa cum laude, from Henderson State University and a M.Ed. in secondary education and curriculum from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock where she won the dean’s award. She is certified in middle school and high school sciences and is a National Board Certified Teacher.  

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