This Presidential Award is dedicated to my students with cognitive disabilities. This is to recognize their abilities, hard work, and desire to learn. They have taught me that all students are capable of reaching their potential when we as teachers believe in them, encourage them, and teach them. This journey is for my students with cognitive disabilities to continue to succeed within their communities and become independent as much as they can, and to always keep learning.

Modupe Olafunmiloye Adelphi, MD | 7-12, Science, 2021

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

Modupe Olafunmiloye taught science and special education to students with cognitive disabilities at Buck Lodge Middle School for five years. Prior to Buck Lodge, she worked at Kenmoor Middle School, where she taught general education science and high school biology to talented and gifted students for eight years. She also served as a Salesforce Consultant and is now the CEO of STEMWonders Education and Enrichment. Modupe believes that all students should have access to real-world STEM resources. In order to spark STEM interests, she established afterschool clubs for robotics, environmental science, and national STEM competitions. Her students were able to collaborate and unravel real-world problems within the community. Her STEM club won multiple Maryland State awards, including eCybermission. Modupe has served as a mentor teacher and also held a lead technology role. She received special recognition awards at school and county levels. Modupe currently participates within STEM Communities to collaborate, share ideas and knowledge. Modupe is driven to engage all students, including those with cognitive disabilities and the underrepresented by providing access to STEM resources. Her passion for STEM and her dedication led to the birth of STEMWonders Education and Enrichment, an environment where all students are exposed to hands-on STEM. Modupe earned a B.S. in zoology from the University of Ilorin and M.S. in zoology at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. She holds a teaching certificate in biology and special education (K-12). Her background as a scientist has equipped her with problem solving skills which enabled her to successfully transition to her role as a Salesforce Consultant.

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