Winning the Presidential Award is an incredible honor. It validates the countless hours spent trying to create equitable, engaging lessons and activities and finding ways to connect with and support each student. While my name is on the award, it truly reflects the collaborative spirit of my colleagues both at my school and in the professional organizations to which I belong. I'm surrounded by colleagues who invigorate and inspire me to be better and try new things.

Maria Giambanco Brooklyn, NY | 7-12, Science, 2023

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

Maria Giambanco has taught science to grades 9-12 at the High School for Telecommunication Arts and Technology for 18 years. She has taught introductory and AP biology courses and currently teaches Sustainability, a STEAM course for which she designed the curriculum. Maria is also the school’s greenhouse coordinator and is responsible for the care of its hydroponics systems. The vegetables grown are used to support local food banks and sold at low cost at the school's green market. Students in Maria’s classes use a scientific, historical, social justice, and engineering design–based lens to study and propose solutions to complex global issues. For example, when studying the impacts of garbage, students are challenged to design a leachate and earthquake resistant landfill that can hold the most trash for the lowest cost and environmental impact. They then write a proposal to build that landfill near a fictional town. Proposals are presented to the school and then voted on. Maria received a Fund for Teachers travel grant to study geology in Scotland. As a Math and Science for America/New York State Master Teacher Program (NYSMTP) Fellow, Maria is part of a community of accomplished educators that share best practices to their schools and beyond. Maria is also a committee member of the Science Council of New York City and helps plan its yearly conference. She has presented at conferences such as the Northeast Association for Science Teacher Education and the NYSMTP virtual summer workshops. Maria is a certified biology teacher for grade 7-12. She has a B.S. in biology from St. Joseph’s University, M.S. in biological sciences from Hofstra University, M.S. in ecology and evolutionary biology from Ohio University, and M.S. in secondary science education from Queens College.

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