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Monument Mountain Regional High School teacher earns Presidential STEM Teaching Award

In the classroom, Elsa strives to present discovery-based experiences that cultivate students’ curiosity. Her story-based curriculum makes science accessible to all, encouraging them to engage in complex thinking via meaningful contexts.

Washington, D.C., and Great Barrington — The White House has just released their list of this year’s Presidential Award recipients for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, and a Monument Mountain Regional High School Science teacher’s name is on that list. Elsa Hernandez, who has taught biology, advanced placement biology, Anatomy and Physiology, and introduction to healthcare in her nine years at MMRHS, is one of 336 educators among all U.S. states and territories receiving the award.

Established by Congress in 1995, this Presidential Award “honors the hard work and dedication mentors exhibit in broadening participation in STEM pathways.” This year’s recipients had been nominated by students, colleagues, and administrators for “exemplary mentoring sustained over a minimum of five years.” A national selection committee assesses nominees and recommends a list of finalists, and the National Science Foundation provides each winner with a cash prize of $10,000.

Hernandez grew up in Palma, the capital city of the island of Mallorca, Spain, and earned a B.S. in biology from the University of Balearic Islands, an M.S. in food biology and biotechnology from the University of Barcelona, and a Ph.D. in molecular oncology at the German Cancer Research Center at the University of Heidelberg in Germany. She began her career as a scientist and transitioned into education a decade ago. She has presented at local, state, and national conferences on topics such as molecular diagnostic systems and educational reforms such as the positive impact of student-teacher alliances.

In the classroom, Elsa strives to present discovery-based experiences that cultivate students’ curiosity. Her story-based curriculum makes science accessible to all, encouraging them to engage in complex thinking via meaningful contexts. Current 11th grade AP biology student Tatum Birnhak said of Ms. Hernandez, “She always pushes students to maximize effort into work and labs. This benefits me and my peers because it forces me out of my comfort zone and into more complex assignments. We’re all aware of how deserving she is of this achievement.”

Monument Mountain Principal Christopher Barnes says the school was thrilled at Hernandez’s win and added, “Elsa is a very passionate, gifted, and dedicated science teacher, and we are lucky to have her at Monument Mountain.”

Of winning the Presidential Award, Hernandez herself said, “I feel deeply honored and grateful for this recognition. At the same time, I can’t help but think about the many incredible educators who inspire me every day and are just as deserving. This award encourages me to continue learning and growing for my students.”

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