Along with being the most prestigious honor awarded to science teachers, the Presidential Award means that I conveyed a passion for learning and teaching science to others. This award confirms that diligence in my craft, high expectations for students, caring for students, and using research-based teaching strategies works for learners of all ability levels and backgrounds.  It means experiencing an overwhelming joy for being rewarded to do what I love and that is teaching hands-on science!

Sarah Lowman Tanner, AL | 7-12, Science, 2013

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

Sarah Lowman, an educator for 20 years, taught high school sciences for the past 10 years. Last year, Sarah was granted a leave of absence from Tanner High School to be a biology content specialist for Alabama Science in Motion. As an ambassador of hands-on science, her impact expanded from a single classroom to over 100 teachers in 34 high schools that serve 7,700 students. Sarah partners with teachers, schools, and school districts to lead teacher training and lab experiences, mentor teachers in best practices, and deliver life science labs to schools in her region. Sarah also designs and writes lab protocols. As a recipient of many teaching awards and grants, Sarah taught students to incubate and hatch ducklings, build and launch rockets, and partnered with local scientists to engage students in the latest genetics technologies. Sarah also taught summer biotech classes to middle school grades at Hudson Alpha’s Institute for Biotechnology. Sarah has presented professional development at the local, state, and national levels. She was recently appointed newsletter chair for the Alabama Science Teachers Association’s Board of Directors. Sarah earned a B.S., cum laude, in education from Athens State University and a B.A. in business administration from Huntingdon College. With minors in biology and chemistry, she is certified to teach high school sciences and elementary grades.

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