Allison McPherren

Pleasant Hill, IA | 7-12, Science, 2021

What motivates you to contribute to excellence in STEM teaching?

Our students and their ever changing needs motivate me to contribute to excellence in STEM teaching. Being culturally responsive to our students, families, and communities is my number one priority. I want every student to leave their high school experience able to participate in our society in productive and positive ways. This requires us as teachers to prepare every student to think like a scientist in ethical and compassionate ways.

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

The most transformative moment that affirmed my impact on STEM education is not single moment, but a series of moments. These moments are comprised of every time a student has experienced success in science and recognized their own capabilities as a scientist. Our students have many different interests, struggles, and backgrounds. For each and every one of our students, at some point in their science classes, to feel confident in their own abilities and even proud of their scientific work, is the greatest affirmation of all.

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

I hope to advance our nation in STEM through small, rippling affects. By transforming science teaching practices within our own school, then nearby districts, and then state, each small step toward improving students' science experiences can build to create wide-reaching change.

Biography

Allison McPherren has been an educator for 13 years. Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, she will serve as a Science Instructional Coach. Previously, she taught Earth Science, Physical Science, Anatomy and Physiology, Biology, Botany, and Zoology. Allison has shared her classroom experiences through the Iowa Science Teaching Network's webinars on multiple occasions and was featured in the Iowa Department of Education's video series on using place-based data as phenomena in the classroom. Allison strives to cultivate a scientific community within her classroom. Students engage in structured, collaborative processes that ensure every individual’s voice is heard and valued. Students benefit from the perspectives of their classmates and learn to respect ideas and methods different from their own. Allison and her students regularly engage in scientific argumentation to reach a collective consensus. Allison earned a B.A., magna cum laude, in biology from Central College. She is currently working on earning her Master's degree in Teacher Leadership and Cultural Competency from the University of Iowa.

High-resolution version of the teacher profile photograph

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