Being honored with the Presidential Award is very humbling, and would not be possible without the support of colleagues, students, friends, and family. Most young children bring a natural curiosity and wonder to the classroom and science becomes an extension of their everyday world. I need only capitalize on these characteristics and do what I love and that is teaching hands-on science!

Nancy Holdsworth New Cumberland, WV | K-6, Science, 2014

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

Nancy Holdsworth has been teaching at New Manchester Elementary School for 18 years. She taught second grade for two years and kindergarten for 12 years before transferring to her current position as a first grade teacher. Nancy uses hands-on science kits in her classroom. In addition to the science kits, Nancy provides hands-on learning based on student interest. Activities have included hatching chicks, growing plants, launching stomp rockets, and engineering fairy tales. Nancy’s love of teaching goes beyond the classroom. She has been very active in regional science activities including participating in and serving as a lead teacher for the West Virginia Handle on Science program. She has also served as a master trainer of kit-based science for the West Virginia Department of Education and as a lead teacher at the Teacher Leadership Institute and the Science, Arts, and Social Studies Institute. Nancy has written and received multiple school and classroom grants to further science and engineering, parent involvement, and literacy. Nancy has been awarded the local Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year and the Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Awards.  She holds a B.A. in elementary education and is National Board Certified (early childhood generalist).

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