Heather Wollrich Anchorage, AK | K-6, Science, 2016

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

Heather Wollrich has been an educator for 18 years, currently teaching all subjects for kindergarten at Bear Valley Elementary School. Previously, Heather taught kindergarten for five years at Sand Lake Elementary School. Using her understanding of young learners, their interests, and how to engage students, Heather worked with the Anchorage School District’s STEM Department to write and pilot its new science curriculum. In this process, she served on the primary leadership team to align the Next Generation Science Standards with new curriculum, creating learning experiences, science notebooks, and scientific drawings. Heather utilized her extensive knowledge of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) to ensure incorporation of SEL standards into the primary level learning experiences. Heather has presented professional development for STEM and SEL at local and regional levels. She has written grants to bring technology into the classroom including digital microscopes, physics tools, and 3D printing. Heather brings science to children in a hands-on inquiry-based manner. She introduces challenging science concepts and fosters independent thinking in her students. Heather earned a B.A. in elementary education from the University of Alaska, Anchorage. She is rated as a highly qualified teacher, and is certified in kindergarten through eighth grade elementary education.

• High-resolution version of the official portrait photograph
• Awardee holding Presidential certificate between Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy U.S. Chief Technology Officer, Michael Kratsios, and National Science Foundation Director, Dr. France A. Córdova.
• High-resolution version of the teacher profile photograph

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