The Presidential Award means the world to me and confirms that I'm living my true calling and vocation. I did not start my career in education, but I knew deep down that being a STEM teacher would be the perfect career for me - and it is! I love teaching physics because of the multitude of opportunities to engage students through hands-on lab activities. Being recognized for all of the time, passion, and energy I put into this truly valuable work is just icing on an already delicious cake.

Melanie Dimler Trussville, AL | 7-12, Science, 2023

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

Melanie Dimler teaches Advanced Placement Physics 1 and 2 to 10th-12th grade students at Hewitt-Trussville High School (HTHS), where she also serves as the Science Department Chair. Melanie’s road to becoming an educator was not a direct path. She earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Louisiana State University (LSU) before working as a mechanical engineer in the energy industry for several years. Despite her career in industry, she always had ambitions to become a classroom teacher. After moving to Alabama with her family, she obtained her secondary science teaching certificate and began teaching physics at HTHS in 2011. She later earned a Master of Natural Sciences (Physics concentration) from LSU through the Louisiana Math and Science Teacher Institute (LA-MSTI). Melanie also attended a physics modeling mechanics workshop at Arizona State University through LA-MSTI, which transformed the way she taught in the classroom. Melanie is passionate about the Physics Modeling instructional approach, as she has seen student engagement skyrocket since employing this teaching methodology. She starts each new physics unit with an opportunity for students to discover scientific and mathematical models for themselves through guided inquiry. Melanie also focuses on building positive student-teacher relationships and takes time to counsel her students toward college and career readiness. She is the sponsor of the SWENext Girls in Engineering Club, co-sponsor of Science Olympiad, and advisor for the School’s Chief Science Officers. This year, Mrs. Dimler was voted by her school’s student body as the teacher “Most Likely to Make a Scientific Discovery”. For now, she’s focused on laying a foundation for her students to become the next great innovators in science and technology.

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