The Presidential Award is an honorable and rewarding affirmation that validates that I have influenced others by actively engaging our nation's youth through passionate teaching of science. This award is a tribute to educators that empower students to become the next generation of innovators. I am proud to know there are children shaping the world with respect, dignity, and kindness, all the values I spent my life imparting.

Maureen Foelkl Salem, OR | K-6, Science, 2014

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

Maureen Murphy-Foelkl taught second through fifth grade at Chapman Hill Elementary School for 30 years. She also taught third grade general education in the Salem-Keizer School District. Currently, she is an Environmental Elementary Educator at Straub Environmental Center. Through her many grants, Maureen has actively involved her students with community watershed projects, partnering with city, state, and national agencies. Students enthusiastically join citizen science research projects to support activity-based learning. She initiated the school's first Family Science Night, in which she partnered with Oregon State University to engage families with hands-on investigations. Maureen embraces the Next Generation Science Standards by creating resources for the South Metro-Salem STEM Partnership leadership team. She is the Science Coordinator for her building and served on numerous district committees supporting transitions to Common Core State Standards. Maureen has presented at a variety of conferences modeling STEM units of study. She currently mentors teachers in forming partnerships with business and community associates. Maureen has a B.S. in elementary education from Oregon State University. She is certified to teach kindergarten through eighth grade.

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