Receiving this Presidential Award is an incredible honor, a humbling recognition of the passion I share with my fellow educators and my inspiring students. It validates the significant role of STEM education in fueling innovative teaching. It also provides valuable networking with great teachers nationwide to strengthen instruction. I dedicate this award to my administrators, colleagues, community, and family for their unwavering support, collaboration, and commitment to excellence in education.

Rajini Sundararaj Jonesboro, GA | 7-12, Science, 2023

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

Rajini Sundararaj has been a science educator for 28 years, teaching all science subjects at Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts for the past nine years; Therrell High School for four years; Langston Hughes High School for two years; and Westlake High School for one year. Her teaching career began with 12 years of experience in India and Saudi Arabia. This coming year, she will teach science for English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) in grades 9-12 at South Atlanta High School. Rajini uses differentiated instruction, inquiry-based lab activities, and creates academically rigorous, authentic lessons tailored to individual student needs to promote equity in the classroom. For over a decade, Rajini has significantly uplifted her students through the Georgia Intern-Fellowships for Teachers (GIFT) program, which offers K-12 teachers STEM field internships to develop relevant classroom curricula. Under her mentorship, students have excelled, winning district, state, and advancing to international science and engineering fairs. She has spearheaded a groundbreaking STEM collaboration between The Knowledge House Fellowship, Inc. and her school, providing technology education to prepare students for 21st-century careers and global citizenship. Rajini earned a B.S. and M.S. in physics from Bharathiar University and an Ed.S. in curriculum and instruction from Lincoln Memorial University. She is certified in physics and science (6-12) with endorsements in reading, ESOL, and gifted. Rajini’s awards include the 2023 K-12 STEM Community Builder, 2021 ImaginED Georgia Innovative Educator and District STAR Teacher of the Year, 2019 District Magnet and National Magnet Schools of America Region III Teacher of the Year, and GIFT Action Plan Teacher Achievement Award (2018-2021).

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