Teaching STEM content is invigorated with innovation and technology. In every class my mission is to expose students to something they do not know. Through such experimentation, they develop experience, find their interest, and make their own expertise. It is in this construction students find their genius and confidence to be tomorrow’s change makers. For my passion to encourage my students to be creators and to be recognized and honored with the Presidential Award, this truly is my highest honor.

Melanie Wiscount Washington, DC | 7-12, Science, 2015

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

Melanie Wiscount has been teaching computer science and technology high school and middle school courses since 2003. For four years she taught the STEM Computer Science Track in the District of Columbia Public Schools on the McKinley Technology Education Campus, teaching 6–12th grade students. Prior to teaching in Washington, DC, Melanie taught in Pennsylvania. Melanie encourages her students to be problem-solving creators rather than consumers. Instilling that mindset, three of her student teams won application challenges. Melanie trains computer science and mathematics teachers in the Bootstrap algebraic programming curriculum. She was selected as a Siemens STEM Institute fellow, an Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association DC STEM Teacher, a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, and a Funds for Teachers fellow. Melanie will begin a new position at the all-male Ron Brown College Preparatory High School in the District of Columbia Public Schools as the Educational Technology Specialist in the school’s One to World program, as well as the computer science educator in afterschool programs. Melanie earned a B.S., summa cum laude, in accounting with a minor in mathematics and statistics and a M.Ed. in business education from Bloomsburg University. She also earned an Ed.D. degree in educational technology leadership from Wilkes University. 

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