The Presidential Award acknowledges and validates the hard work and dedication we put into our craft, especially during a pandemic. It shows the things you do in the classroom matter to both your students and your colleagues. Without great effort and support from either group, this award is not possible. I am both humbled and proud as a recipient of the Presidential Award. It inspires me to continue to learn, grow, and evolve into the teacher my students need me to be.

Brian Heeney Wilmington, DE | 7-12, Science, 2021

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

Brian Heeney has taught at Delcastle Technical High School for the past 19 years and currently teaches 10th grade biology. Prior to that, he spent eight of his 32-year educational career teaching seventh grade life science at George Read Middle School, and five years teaching high school biology and physical science at Caravel Academy. As Delcastle’s Science Content Teacher Leader, Brian provides NGSS professional development for his department and district science staff. He serves as an NGSS Teacher Leader for the State of Delaware, facilitates curriculum training for biology teachers across the state, and was an item reviewer for the Delaware System of Student Assessments (DeSSA) biology assessment. Brian also presented on using digital cameras in science education at the National Association of Biology Teachers. Showing students the relevance of scientific understanding in our world is important to Brian. He is an advocate for phenomenon-based instruction in the classroom, providing students opportunities to direct their learning using driving question boards. Outside of the classroom, he helps lead students in Animal Club on weekend hikes through state parks to increase their appreciation for the biodiversity found in the world. Brian also organized an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station contact, so Delcastle students could talk to an astronaut onboard the space station. Brian has a B.A. in biology education from the University of Delaware and earned his Master’s in curriculum and instruction from McDaniel College, formerly known as Western Maryland College. He is certified in middle and high school biology and general science.

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