Terre Midgarden-Shapiro

Blaine, WA | K-6, Science, 1995

What motivates you to contribute to excellence in STEM teaching?

As a teacher of primary aged students, I've seen the impact that science and engineering has on young learners. They are filled with curiosity and they question the natural phenomena around them. This excites me as a teacher because I can use this enthusiasm to highlight their learning strengths and propel them further toward higher level thinking and future skills. Many students will read to find science answers or solve math problems to find engineering solutions. It's a wonderful connection.

What has been the most transformative moment that affirmed your impact on STEM education?

Because of my love of science and my success as a teacher, I was given the opportunity to create a STEAM classroom for our school. This classroom serves all students, who come together as a whole class. I see each class at least every other day. I was able to develop and design the curriculum and learning space, in line with state and national standards. This ability to be creative and to integrate all areas of my STEAM curriculum have been extremely motivating for me and very engaging for my TK-2nd grade students. Students are able to have autonomy as they determine which materials to use or how to solve various engineering problems. The natural student talk and interaction among workers is very exciting to see. Students love STEAM class!

Using your platform as a Presidential Awardee, how do you hope to advance our nation in STEM?

As a teacher of primary aged students, I know the importance of "purposeful play" to propel student learning forward. In my STEAM classroom, the TK-2nd grade students have many opportunities for "purposeful play". They select their own materials, work with partners, and solve meaningful problems that are posed to them. This type of classroom should be created in schools across the nation to foster these learning skills and habits among all our students, giving students a rich, full STEAM class.

Biography

Terre Midgarden-Shapiro went to a two room school in ND through 8th grade. She always loved learning and teaching younger students, even then! In 1985, Terre graduated summa cum laude from Concordia College in MN with a BA in Elem. Ed and Science Ed. She started teaching 3rd grade in Lincoln City, OR. She also worked as a Park Ranger at Mt. Rainier National Park during summers. In OR, she had many great opportunities and was awarded the OR Reading Assoc. Outstanding TOY, the Lincoln Co. Land and Water Conservation TOY, and the Young Career Woman of Central OR Coast by BPW. She held every board position on Seacoast Reading Council, part of International Reading Assoc. and was chairperson for Title Waves Reading Conference. In 1989, Terre moved to Bellingham, WA to start a Master's Degree program at WWU. At that time, she started teaching 3rd grade at Blaine Elem. School in Blaine, WA. Terre graduated with a M.Ed. in Natural Sciences for Elementary Educators in 1992 and continued to teach 3rd grade and 1st grade at Blaine SD. In 2021, Terre created and taught our first STEAM classroom in Blaine. This has been a thrilling part of her career as she integrates STEAM for all students in school. Terre has also been the Highly Capable Program Coordinator for Blaine SD since 2013. Terre has been very fortunate to receive many teaching awards in her career. In 1991, the "Christa McAuliffe Excellence in Education Award", in 1994 the WA Conservation TOY, in 1996, the "Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching" for Elem. Science, in 2005, Blaine SD TOY, in 2006, the "NW WA ESD 189 TOY" and many other local business awards and honors. Terre obtained NBCT status in 2009 and renewed that certification in 2019. Terre has given many presentations around OR and WA.

The views expressed in awardee profiles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of NSF or the PAEMST program.