Sandee Coats-Haan Liberty Township, OH | 7-12, Science, 2009

The official biography below was current at the time of the award. For this awardee's latest biographical information, see their profile page.

Sandee Coats-Haan has taught for 14 years. For the past 13 years at Lakota East High School, she has taught Advanced Placement and Honors Physics, as well as science for English-language learners and special education students. She also taught mathematics at Walnut Hills High School. Sandee achieves her goal that students see physics everywhere through activities and projects. Students are surprised that they are encouraged to play with toys in a physics class. Sometimes students build things like windmills and motors; sometimes they dissect things like disposable cameras. Sandee leads in technology. She teaches physics through a variety of software, simulations, clickers, and probeware. Her students chronicle classroom activities in a blog. She has led in-service programs on subjects as varied as classroom websites, Microsoft Excel and Word, and Internet safety. Sandee arrives 45 minutes early daily to offer help to her students. During these sessions, concepts are reinforced, and respect and relationships are built. Sandee has a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and an M.A.T. from Miami University. She is a National Board Certified Teacher and is certified in chemistry and physics. She has also worked as an engineer for Procter & Gamble.

• High-resolution version of the official portrait photograph
• Awardee holding Presidential certificate between NSF Director Subra Suresh and OSTP Director John P. Holdren
• High-resolution version of the teacher profile photograph

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