The Presidential Award is an award that represents the heart and soul of America’s science and mathematic teachers. It acknowledges that the greatness found in our country is generated in the classroom, where critical thinking and problem solving skills are learned. When excellence in education is recognized at the national level, the role of teacher is elevated and the value of education increases, which in turn benefits the students of today, who are our leaders, scientists, and engineers of tomorrow.

Magdalene Huddleston Roy, UT | 7-12, Science, 2015

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

Magdalene (Maggie) Huddleston, a science educator for 14 years, has taught a variety of science classes to both high school and middle school students. She is currently in her 8th year of teaching 7th grade Integrated Science at Sand Ridge Junior High, where she has also served as department head, Science Olympiad Coach and is currently the Director of Sand Ridge Jr.’s Annual Science Fair. Maggie is a National Stem Cell Foundation Scholar and was awarded a $3,000 grant to use technology in her classroom to educate students about air pollution. Maggie’s award includes a $5,000 Science WoRx grant, the KSL Teacher Feature, and Ritchey Science Fair Teacher of the Year. She was chosen by the Weber School District to attend the NASA Space Camp in Alabama and was also selected to attend the San Diego Safari Park’s Conservation Week for Teachers. Maggie has presented at numerous conferences and regularly conducts professional development at the local and state levels. She was a member of the 7th grade writing team for the state’s recently adopted new science standards. She currently holds a regional position on the Utah Science Teacher Association Board. Maggie earned a B.S. in biology from Weber State University and a M.A. in middle school science education from Western Governors University. She is endorsed to teach the biological sciences and middle level science 6–12.

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