Yajaira Fuentes-Tauber

Fort Collins, CO | 7-12, Science, 2023

What motivates you to contribute to excellence in STEM teaching?

My source of motivation to make contributions to excellence in STEM teaching stems from seeing the spark in students’ curiosity when they engage in real world application activities. A sense of purpose in the advancement of STEM education fuels my commitment to collaborate with the educational ecosystem to enhance STEM teaching. I'm motivated and committed to increase students’ opportunities to think, ask questions, and take on the role of explorers, scientist, and researchers.

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

My most transformative moments include those when students take ownership of their learning, combining their knowledge and skill set in ways that transcend beyond the classroom. From witnessing students transform their learning into empowerment to pursue and earn a doctoral degree to seeing students bring their ideas to life to make a difference in their community remind me of the impact I can have on STEM education. Most recently one of my students was awarded the President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA) for her efforts to increase native bee populations with many others earning funding from organizations over the years to implement projects, becoming STEM stewards while still in high school.

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

I strive to use my platform as a Presidential Awardee to expand my network and take on additional leadership roles that shape the advancement of STEM in our nation. As a life long learner I look forward to presenting and engaging in professional activities that allow me to better serve students’ STEM journey. In essence, I hope that being an awardee will serve as a catalyst to inspire educators, students, and systemic changes that advance STEM education.

Biography

Yajaira Fuentes-Tauber has been an educator for 18 years and has spent the last four years teaching freshman Biology, Zoology, and Earth Systems Science at Rocky Mountain High School. She spent the previous five years teaching at Northridge High School and spent her first eight years as a teacher at Rivera High School. Yajaira’s passion for advancing STEM education inspires her to collaborate in curriculum development, present at state and national conferences, and serve as the Colorado Association of Science Teachers' Region One Secondary Director. In the classroom, Yajaira brings complex phenomena to life with innovative modeling strategies and investigations that meet the needs of all learners. She encourages students to be the change and take action by developing proposals with implementable solutions that address natural hazards, improving watersheds, and protecting the environment. Her students have entered National Geographic’s Slingshot Challenge and have secured funding from the Caring for Our Watersheds Contest and the Colorado RISE Challenge to bring their solutions to life. Yajaira has a B.S. in biology from the University of Texas at Brownsville; an M.S. in science education from Oregon State University; and an Ed.D. in organizational leadership from California Coast University. She is certified in science education for grades 7-12.

High-resolution version of the teacher profile photograph

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