Born and raised in our small, rural school district where 80% of students are from poverty-stricken homes, I understand the insular nature of our community and how education is the key to breaking the cycle of generational poverty. Being honored with the Presidential Award allows me to be an example to both my students and other rural educators that great things can happen in small places. Such an honor is a humbling experience and fulfills a personal and professional vision and dream.

Courtney Selph Brockwell, AR | K-6, Science, 2022

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

Courtney Leigh Selph is currently Izard County School's District STEM Coordinator. Previously, she taught third and fourth grade science at Izard County Consolidated Elementary School. She spent the first five years of her 14-year teaching career at Izard County Consolidated teaching all subjects in a self-contained third grade classroom. When Courtney was in the classroom, she strove to incorporate STEM-based learning experiences into her daily instruction with a strong focus on the Engineering Design Process. Her students had the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning and interact with the school and the local community to solve meaningful, real-life problems. Courtney led an initiative to integrate STEM-based learning practices throughout Izard County Consolidated. She has presented STEM and Makerspace professional development for her school district and works closely with the local educational cooperative to plan focused professional development opportunities based on the specific needs of her rural school district. Courtney is a school STEM leader in the Arkansas STEM Model Program and has represented her school by serving as a panel member at the statewide level. She is a member of the Arkansas State Teachers Association (ASTA), the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA), and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). Courtney has a B.S. in elementary education from Arkansas Tech University and has received National Board Certification as a middle childhood generalist.

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