Annette Drake

Brookville, OH | 7-12, Science, 2023

What motivates you to contribute to excellence in STEM teaching?

As a female engineer, now a 7th grade science teacher, I understand the value of problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, and adaptability. I experienced the importance of perseverance, grit, and failing forward (trial and error). Many of our students will have jobs that aren't even created yet. So preparing our students with skills and attitudes that they will need in the future through STEM education will not only benefit my students but also the world.

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 happens when a student has the "ah ha" or light bulb moment. Every time a student makes a connection with science content or science skills it is rewarding. Every time a student's confidence improves because they have been successful with a task it is rewarding.

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

I don't know how I can advance our nation in STEM. I guess I am just realizing that I have a PAEMST platform. I'm hoping my cohorts can help me with endeavor.

Biography

Annette “Ann” Drake has been an educator for over 25 years and has spent the last 23 years teaching at Brookville Intermediate School at a variety of grade levels and subjects: seventh grade language arts, seventh and eighth grade mathematics and science, and fifth grade mathematics and science with the last twelve years teaching seventh grade science. She started her teaching career at St. Charles Borromeo School teaching seventh and eighth grade science. Ann believes that every student can learn science, they just need a teacher to help them believe they can by supporting their learning journey. She places an emphasis on differentiated learning through the use of inquiry lessons, a Problem Based Learning opportunity, phenomena learning, and the use of the GRID method. Ann works to foster creativity, higher level learning, and problem solving skills in her seventh grade science classes by giving students the opportunity to complete student created experiments, hands-on activities and numerous labs. She is the recipient of the 2015-2016 Dayton Regional STEM Center: STEM Education Collaboration Award; 2014-2015 Ohio STEM Educator: Air Force Association award; and 2007 Honeywell’s Space Academy for Educators. She has been awarded multiple grants and held several leadership positions in state organizations (Science Education Council of Ohio, Environmental Education Council of Ohio, and Ohio Earth Science Teachers Association) and has presented science sessions at the state and national level. Ann earned a B.S. in civil engineering from Ohio Northern University and an M.Ed. in elementary education from Wright State University. She is certified in first through eighth grade elementary education.

High-resolution version of the teacher profile photograph

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