The Presidential Award celebrates the commitment and dedication we bring to our classrooms, validating the work we do to impact our students' lives. It affirms quality STEM instruction is for all students, no matter gender or ethnicity. It inspires me to continue challenging myself to be the best teacher possible for my students and community. It honors those in my life who encourage, support and inspire me to share my love and passion for science with my students and colleagues.

Jennifer Trochez Los Angeles, CA | K-6, Science, 2022

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

Jennifer Trochez has been an educator for 27 years. She is currently a fourth grade teacher at Gates Street Elementary School where she has been for the past 12 years. Before Gates Elementary, she worked at Foshay Learning Center for 13 years and taught mathematics and science at Barack Obama Global Prep Academy for two years. Jennifer integrates a variety of content areas into her science instruction to engage her students, help them make connections to the world around them, and foster their curiosity and creativity. She works to develop community in her classroom and nurture her students’ STEM identities by instilling a growth mindset and building student agency. Jennifer is a Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) 2018 Teacher of the Year and served on the LAUSD Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Committee in 2018-2020. She has also served on The National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project Teacher Advisory Board. Jennifer works to help increase access to STEM education for girls and students of color by presenting and facilitating workshops on NGSS and equity and access in science instruction. Jennifer has facilitated workshops and training for her school district, the NEED Project, UCLA Center X Science Project, and the UCLA California NanoSystems Institute. She has also presented at NSTA Area and National Conferences, most recently presenting on “Increasing Equity in Science Through Collaboration and Conversation” at NSTA Engage: Spring 21. Jennifer earned a B.A. in biology and psychology from Occidental College and an M.S. in science education from the University of Southern California. Jennifer is a National Board Certified Middle Childhood Generalist. She earned a STEAM micro-credential through LAUSD and is a certified National Geographic Educator.

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