Receiving the Presidential Award gives me an opportunity to share my passion for teaching and to encourage others to continue working to improve science education. As educators, we have the desire to teach our students, but inevitably we learn as much or more from the experience. For me, teaching is a calling. Every day is new and exciting. I am honored to have met the high standards of this award. It is humbling to be recognized for doing what I love!

Karen Ladd Jonesboro, AR | 7-12, Science, 2009

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

Karen Ladd has been an educator for 33 years. She currently teaches Chemistry, Advanced Placement Chemistry, and Physics at Nettleton High School, where she has been for 18 years. She also taught in Weiner, AR, and Greenfield, TN. Karen challenges herself to stay informed of best practices in science education and to learn new ways to engage her students. She has been the recipient of many classroom grants to support innovative instruction and activities in her classes. Karen holds high standards and expectations for herself and her students. She provides a classroom environment that encourages students to think and to succeed. Karen has worked to improve science education at all grade levels through her leadership in Constructing Physics Understanding and Modeling Physics workshops for teachers in her region. She regularly supervises and mentors pre-service teachers. Karen has a B.S. in Science Education and an M.S.E. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Tennessee at Martin. She is certified in chemistry, physics, biology, and secondary mathematics. Karen is a National Board Certified Teacher and is a member of several state and national science teacher organizations.

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