The Presidential Award is a motivating affirmation that science education is valued, and that thoughtful educators abound across the country! For me, specifically, the award provides helpful feedback that my approach to teaching matches the goals of our nation's leaders. I am most excited about the opportunity to meet other awardees and to share their ideas and experiences with my students and school.

Carla Guarraia Baltimore, MD | 7-12, Science, 2023

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

Carla Guarraia’s teaching career began with six years at St. Paul’s School for Girls. She is now in her 10th year at The Park School, a pedagogically progressive school, where she teaches a wide array of hands-on high school science courses, many of her own design. Carla currently teaches and co-designed Core10. This course teaches biology, chemistry, and experimental science. Students' final projects require novel data collection and a poster presentation. Topics include turtle population dynamics on campus, plant transpiration, poultry farming, and plastics. She also teaches Anatomy, Cellular Biology Research Methods, Plastics, Integrative Medicine, Health Disparities, and Yoga. Carla is an advisor to the Beekeeping Club, the International Student-led Arctic Monitoring and Research (ISAMR) program, and the Hiking Club, and develops wellness programming. This year, Carla focused her professional development energy on data analysis, science program review, and preparing for a term as department chair. She works with professionals in both artificial intelligence and executive leadership, as well as professors from several universities in the United States and Canada. Carla earned a B.S. in biology/chemistry interdisciplinary studies from Loyola University in Maryland and a Ph.D. in molecular and cellular biology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She was a postdoctoral research associate in chemical and biochemical engineering at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

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