The Award has allowed me to get to know so many creative and passionate professionals. It has allowed me to share my passion with like-minded individuals. Together we are changing the world...one student at a time...every time we get them to think for themselves.

Linda Smith Paulsboro, NJ | K-6, Science, 1999

Linda Smith taught in the New Jersey (NJ) public school system for 31 year until retiring in 2013. Her last 16 years she served as Paulsboro School District's Billingsport and Loudenslager Elementary Schools' Science Resource Specialist. In this role, she served 800 preK-6 students annually teaching Science Enrichment and she was here when she received PAEMST in 1999. In addition to her B.A. from Rowan University in elementary education, Linda has a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Certificate of Graduate Studies from Rowan University, both in integrated science education. Linda is the past President for the New Jersey Science Teachers Association (NJSTA); past President, Newsletter Editor, and Secretary of the Association of Presidential Awardees in Science Teaching (APAST); served on the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Preschool/Elementary and Retired Teachers Committees; and a reviewer for Science and Children Magazine. Since 2004, she served as Astrophysics Educator Ambassador for NASA, presenting workshops on high-energy physics programs such as GALEX and Fermi. Her passion is presenting material in a way that elementary school students can understand, presenting at NSTA Regional Conferences as well as at the NJEA and NJSTA State Conferences. Linda has received many awards for her efforts. These include: NASA NEWMAST Honors Teachers Award, 1995; NJ BISEC Exemplary Service Award, 1999; DEP Outstanding Facilitator Award, 1999; Finalist, NJ Teacher of the Year (TOY), 2000; Gloucester County, NJ TOY, 2000; Paulsboro Public Schools TOY, 2000; Billingsport Elementary School TOY, 2000; CES-NJ Make a Difference Award, 2003; Paulsboro Public Schools TOY, 2004; NJSTA Fellow Award, 2010; ACS-NJ Salute to Excellence, 2018.

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