Ingrid Stressenger

Cape Elizabeth, ME | K-6, Science, 2000

What motivates you to contribute to excellence in STEM teaching?

Many well known naturalists cite having their interest in nature sparked at a young age by an adult in their lives. Although I am now retired, I continue to be passionate about science education, in particular nature education, for young children. By exposing children at a young age to the wonders of the natural world, we can feed their curiosity and spark a commitment to protecting nature that they can carry forward with them over the course of their lives.

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

Working daily with students over the course of my 40 year teaching career, I never failed to be amazed at my students’ excitement when learning, through the process of inquiry and discover, how things work in the world of science. Getting students out of textbooks and worksheets and engaged in meaningful inquiry based learning, transformed my practice as a STEM educator.

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

I hope to continue to contribute to the advancement of STEM in our nation by writing books for children about the natural world. I have published a book titled, “What’s That Bird? A Kids Guide to the Birds of New England” and am working on expanding the series. With my husband, I also give talks about birding across the country and have created dozens of educational videos about birds, to be found at BigYearBirding.com.

Biography

I hold a bachelors degree in child development from Tufts University. I also hold a masters degree in educational leadership and advanced certificates in math, leadership and technology integration in the classroom. In 2014, my name changed to Ingrid Whitaker. I am the same person, but with a different name than I had when I received my award! Over the years, I have helped to develop outdoor nature experiences and curriculum for my students and hundreds of others. I was a finalist for Maine Teacher of the Year in 2015 and have presented multiple times at local, state and national science conferences. I have co-authored and edited several books about birds and birding as well as dozens of educational videos and tutorials about birds and birding. With my husband, Ethan Whitaker, I completed a lower 48 state Big Year in birding in 2024, finding 708 different species of birds in the country, an achievement of high note in the national birding community.

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