Receiving the Presidential Award is the most joyous moment in my teaching career! The award is validation that our youth are excited by science when it is taught in a nurturing, challenging environment, laced with hands-on activities and humor, thus simulating a culture of life long learning. This award challenges me to continue my professional development, to fearlessly accept new challenges, to actively look for leadership opportunities, and to grow new collaborations with my colleagues.

Elizabeth Megonigal Huntingtown, MD | 7-12, Science, 2015

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

Elizabeth Megonigal has been an educator for 14 years, 12 of which have been devoted to teaching Academic, Honors, and Advanced Placement Chemistry at Huntingtown High School to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Elizabeth previously spent one year teaching Chemistry and Environmental Science at Arundel High School, and one year teaching Chemistry and Geosystems at Mountain View High School. Having worked as a chemist for 12 years prior to becoming a teacher, Elizabeth brings real-world experience and impeccable lab skills to her classroom. She believes that people learn science best when actively engaged in the topic, so throughout the year she challenges her students with laboratory experiments, hands-on activities, and computer simulations. She has published two peer-reviewed articles in the Journal of Chemical Education, presented at the Maryland Association of Science Teacher’s Conference, and served as a teacher-expert at the Speak Up Congressional Briefing on incorporating digital learning activities in the classroom. Elizabeth received her B.S. in chemistry from Old Dominion University and a M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction from George Mason University. She holds an Advanced Professional Certificate in chemistry and is completing an internship for an Administrator I Certificate through McDaniel College.

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