The Presidential Award is the highest form of recognition that a K–12 science teacher can earn. I am humbled to be honored with this prestigious award, yet realize that it is not all mine. It belongs to the administrators who were patient with me when I was a young, struggling teacher; to the colleagues who have shared their ideas with me; to the parents who have shown me grace when I was undeserving; and to the thousands of children who have made me the teacher that I am. I am very fortunate.

Rebecca Strong Mount Pleasant, SC | K-6, Science, 2014

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

Rebecca Strong has been a middle school educator for 27 years, teaching sixth and seventh grade science at Thomas C. Cario Middle School for the last 17 years. Prior to the opening of Cario Middle School, she taught sixth and seventh grade science at Laing Middle School. Over the course of her career, Rebecca has led her students in various science clubs (Girls Excelling in Math and Science, Pet Club, Science Club, Odyssey of the Mind, and Science Olympiad). She has been on both schools' leadership/steering committees, and was involved in the planning of the South Carolina Waterfowl Association's Camp Leopold. She has been involved in curriculum development and teacher training at the district and state level, presenting at many inservice programs and conferences, as well as serving on district and state committees on standards and assessment. She has been science department chairperson for over half of her career, and was Cario Teacher of the Year in 2002.  Rebecca has a B.S. in biology from Kent State University, and a M.A.T. in secondary education, also from Kent State. She is a member of the National Science Teachers Association, the South Carolina Science Council, the Charleston Literacy League, and is a National Board Certified Teacher in the area of early adolescence science. She is certified to teach middle school science and high school biology.

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