The Presidential Award is a tremendous honor highlighting the dedication and passion of STEM educators. It validates high-quality instruction that engages students in science learning, driving impactful outcomes. I am blessed to work within a supportive community, engage in impactful professional development, and collaborate with colleagues who inspire me every day. Being recognized is incredibly humbling and I hope it inspires others to pursue excellence in STEM education for all students.

Robyn Yewell Tucson, AZ | K-6, Science, 2020

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

Robyn Yewell has been an educator for nine years and has spent the last three years teaching at Winifred Harelson Elementary School where she currently teaches all fifth grade subjects. She also taught for six years at Marion Donaldson Elementary School. Robyn is the treasurer of the Arizona Science Teachers Association (ASTA), served as Ambassador for the University of Arizona's Office Of Economic Education in partnership with the Thomas R. Brown Foundation, and also is a teacher leader for the StemAZing Project. In 2017, she was awarded the Arizona Elementary Science Teacher of the Year. Robyn loves to share her passion for science with others and strives to create opportunities for students that foster their natural sense of curiosity and wonder. She encourages her students to see their own world by carefully choosing phenomena to drive student inquiry. Robyn is also an Odyssey of the Mind coach. Recently, two Division I teams and the Division II team she co-coached placed first at state and qualified for World Finals. Robyn also helps facilitate STEM Nights in Southern AZ and has presented sessions on a variety of topics statewide on STEM education, including economics. Robyn earned a B.S. in business administration from the University of Phoenix; an M.Ed. in elementary education from Northern Arizona University (NAU); and an M.Ed. in multicultural and bilingual education from NAU. She is currently pursuing an M.A. in science teaching from NAU; her anticipated graduation is spring of 2022. She is certified in elementary education with endorsements in structured English immersion, gifted, mathematics specialist, and middle fifth through ninth grades. Robyn is also certified in secondary education with the approved area of middle grades/early secondary mathematics.

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