The Presidential Award is an honor and recognition of not only the work I have put forth but the efforts and dedication of my family, teachers, colleagues, mentors, and students that have molded me into who I am today. It recognizes not only a set of passionate educators, but also the community that built those educators. All students deserve a rigorous STEM education in an inclusive environment. This award highlights where that is being accomplished across the country.

Sarah DiMaria Austin, TX | 7-12, Mathematics, 2021

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

Sarah DiMaria has taught mathematics at Cedars International Next Generation High School since 2016. She has also served as the campus's Professional Development (PD) Coordinator and Instructional Coach for the last five years. Previously, she taught for two years at Manor New Tech High School and one year at Holland New Technology High School. As PD Coordinator and Instructional Coach, Sarah engages teachers in coaching cycles, book study, and data rounds to strengthen their project-based learning (PBL) and culturally responsive skills. In the classroom, Sarah is currently teaching 12th grade Advanced Placement Calculus. Sarah incorporates cross-curricular experiences in her classes through PBL. Notable projects include creating school blueprints with a graphic design class to present to the school board and designing rollercoasters with a science class. Sarah also attends to the socio-emotional side of the learner, focusing on mindfulness in order to break down anxieties. Sarah has engaged in educational research at the University of Texas and Michigan State University. In 2019, she served on a panel for the NAEP Mathematics Framework Update. Sarah was named T-STEM Teacher of the Year at her campus in 2016 and Outstanding Texas Educator by the Texas Academy of Science in 2022. She has spoken at national conferences on PBL, equity, and pedagogy and has developed and implemented teacher training in PBL in the U.S., China, and Australia as a part of ARiE's Think Global Academies Team. Sarah grows professionally as a member of both the Knowles Teacher Initiative and Stanford’s Hollyhock Program. Sarah has a B.S. in mathematics, a teaching certificate in secondary mathematics and science education, and an M.A. in teaching and curriculum from Michigan State University.

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