The Presidential Award is an amazing honor. This recognition thanks the wonderful educators I have met along my journey that have inspired me, shaped me, and guided who I am as a teacher. The challenges of being an educator are what make me proud, and it is humbling to see my efforts and passion recognized. This award honors the help and dedication of my friends and family who have supported and encouraged me to study and understand the critical work needed for students in science education.

Katie Stevenson Redford, MI | K-6, Science, 2018

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

Katherine “Katie” Stevenson has 10 years’ experience as an elementary educator, with the last six years spent teaching all fourth-grade subjects at Fisher Elementary School. She also taught at MacGregor Elementary School for one year and at Peabody Elementary School for two years. Katie’s passion for science is inspiring and sets her apart from other educators. She has developed curriculum for students that allows time for exploration, wonderment, and even mistakes. She motivates students to take ownership of their learning through exciting lessons and cohesive units. As a Next Generation Science Exemplar System facilitator, Katie embodies leadership. Katie is someone that other teachers seek out for support, ideas, and strategies. She is currently working with Michigan State University's CT4EDU Project, a study on computational thinking within the elementary classroom. Katie continuously seeks opportunities to immerse herself in the Next Generation Science Standards and has presented numerous sessions at the Michigan Science Teachers Association (MSTA) annual state conference. She was honored as MSTA’s Elementary Science Educator of 2019. Katie earned a B.S. in elementary education and a M.A. in curriculum and instruction from Eastern Michigan University. She is a certified elementary teacher, facilitator, and science leader within the state of Michigan.

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