I am honored to receive the Presidential Award as it serves as an affirmation of the work I have done to advance environmental education in my community. Using outdoor learning, I strive to help students make strong personal connections with the natural world and empower them to use their knowledge and skills to make positive contributions to our society. This award is a recognition of the support and professional growth provided to me by my students, colleagues, and family members.   

Meredith Gannon Vancouver, WA | K-6, Science, 2014

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

Meredith Gannon most recently worked as an Instructional Coach at Glenwood Heights Primary School and Maple Grove K–8 School. She is currently an Instructional Coach at Tukes Valley Primary School. Meredith also spent 10 years teaching at Sacajawea Elementary School and was a Mathematics Instructional Coach for Vancouver Public Schools. Meredith leads students in outdoor education at a local stream where students test water quality, examine macroinvertebrates, and observe environmental changes. Her students present findings annually at Watershed Congress. Meredith coordinates the school’s Salmon in the Classroom program and field work opportunities. At Sacajawea Elementary, she coordinated the implementation of a solar panel array through her Solar 4R Schools Grant. Meredith’s awards include the Amgen Award for Science Teaching Excellence and two local Teacher of the Year Awards. As Sacajawea Elementary’s Green Team advisor, she received the Department of Education Green Ribbon School Award and five Washington Green School Awards. Meredith worked as an author of Washington’s Standards for Environmental and Sustainability Education. Meredith has a B.S. in political science from Santa Clara University and a Master’s in Teaching in elementary education from Washington State University Vancouver. She is certified in elementary education and is a National Board Certified Middle Childhood Generalist. 

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