I am honored and humbled to be named a Presidential Award winner given the remarkable field of excellent teachers. Being a self-described lifelong learner, I hope to instill a sense of awe and wonder in my students as they encounter the world around them. I can’t help but feel incredible gratitude, as this award celebrates the passion, creativity, and energy of teachers across the nation who deliver dynamic, innovative lessons to their students.

Diana Matthews Bloomfield Hills, MI | K-6, Science, 2022

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

Diana Matthews has been an elementary science educator for the last 12 years at Detroit Country Day School. Before teaching science, she ran Country Day’s afterschool program and taught kindergarten. In her early teaching years, Diana taught junior kindergarten, kindergarten, and third grade for three years at Fern Persons Elementary School. As one of two Lower School science teachers, Diana currently teaches junior kindergarten through third grade. Diana is passionate about integrating STEAM and makerspace activities into her science lessons, allowing children to create, tinker, and explore while learning concepts and tackling science-based phenomena. Diana intentionally adds elements of technology to pique interest and enhance digital learning. Diana serves as a Director at Large for the Michigan Science Teachers Association. She has presented at the state and national level about integrating STEAM into the elementary classroom, as well as best practices when creating makerspaces. Diana earned a B.A. in education from Purdue University and an M.Ed. from Wayne State University. She is a certified elementary school teacher and is certified in elementary science curriculum.

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