The Presidential Award signifies an immense honor and pride in my dedication to science education, showcasing commitment to excellence for my students, particularly those that are multilingual learners. The recognition offers opportunities to impact state and national policy, engage in professional development, and discuss STEM improvements with decision makers. My journey has prompted deep reflection on my teaching and enhanced my role as Department Chair and Instructional Coach.

Lainey Bristow Minneapolis, MN | 7-12, Science, 2023

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

Lainey Bristow has spent the past three years teaching 12th grade Advanced Placement Biology and supporting multilingual, first-generation students at Hiawatha Collegiate High School (HCHS). She previously taught for three years at Penn High School and one year at Saint Joseph High School. In addition to teaching AP Biology with additional lab sections focused on inquiry and science practices, Lainey has also taught English Language Development Science for new-to-country students. This year, she added a Research Methods class, guiding students in designing, conducting, and presenting experiments. As Department Chair, Lainey aids in teacher hiring, onboarding, and development. She is an instructional coach, monitoring academic progress, identifying pedagogical priorities, and supporting teacher efficacy. This year she planned and facilitated a four-week series on leveraging student voice for all staff. Lainey is a Hollyhock Fellow at Stanford University, a professional development program that provides instructional training and support. This includes summer seminars on campus and monthly mentoring sessions during the school year, focusing on content-specific practices and equity in education. Lainey is the Head Coach for HCHS Varsity Girls Soccer. She has led her team to win Conference Championships, secured an All State recognition, supported students receiving full-ride scholarships, and earned Coach of the Year. Lainey has a B.S. in natural resources and environmental science from the University of Illinois and an M.S. in biological sciences from the University of Notre Dame. She has authored four peer-reviewed articles in scientific journals through the U.S. Geological Survey. She is certified in life science for high school in Minnesota and grades 7-12 in Indiana.

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