The Presidential Award is a humble honor and recognition of the time, dedication, and hard work that I have poured into the classroom for 15 years. This award also recognizes so many individuals across the country that work towards one common goal of educating our youth through STEM education and innovation. Being a part of a group of educators who expose and encourage students to love learning is truly a blessing and can help to elevate my platform as I continue to advocate for students.

Sheri Frierson-Chenier Washington, DC | K-6, Science, 2020

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

Sheri Frierson-Chenier has been an educator for 15 years. She began her career at Glenn Dale Elementary school in Glenn Dale, MD, teaching kindergarten for three years. Sheri has taught kindergarten through third grade and is currently a fifth grade teacher and STEM Coordinator, concluding her twelfth year at Kimball Elementary School in Washington, D.C. Sheri holds several leadership positions at Kimball Elementary. She chairs the school’s Personnel Committee, Local School Advisory Team, and Academic Leadership team. Sheri also enjoys spearheading influential programs such as the robotics club, science fair, STEM career fair, and the STEM Expo. Sheri was a D.C. Teaching is Central to Learning (TCTL) Fellow, which enabled her to spend time outside of the classroom engaged in professional development to understand and inform the role of education policies and programs designed to improve teaching and learning. In 2018, Sheri was a finalist for D.C. Public Schools Teacher of the Year. In 2020, she was a finalist for the D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education Teacher of the Year. Since the age of five, becoming an educator has been Sheri’s dream. Growing up in Los Angeles and transitioning to D.C. has emblazoned her passion to work in urban environments where our children need her the most. Her passion for education can be seen in her classroom and in her innovative and creative ways to overcome even the most challenging situations. She deems her personal success to be through her students' ability to learn and succeed despite any setbacks or fears with which they arrive to her. Sheri holds a B.S., magna cum laude, in human development and an M.Ed. in elementary education from Howard University. She is certified in kindergarten through sixth grade education.

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