Science Teachers Earn Outstanding Educator Award, a Well-Deserved Nod to Years of Exceptional Instruction
Posted on 5/16/2023
Two School District of Palm Beach County middle school science teachers each received the Outstanding Educator Award from the University of Florida's Thompson Earth Systems Institute. Melissa Atkins, an ESE Science Teacher at Tradewinds Middle School, and Susan Hahn, a Science Teacher at Eagles Landing Middle School were honored for their stellar contributions to science education and their participation in the Scientist in Every Florida School program (SEFS).
The award is one of many highlights in the exceptional careers of both educators who each have more than 20 years of experience teaching in the District. They were formally recognized by the School Board for their accomplishment, during the May 10 board meeting.
“Receiving the Outstanding Educator Award means so much, I feel honored and humbled,” Atkins said. “Winning the Outstanding Educator Award lets me know that the work I do with my students is helping us meet their diverse educational needs.”
“It is difficult to put into words what this award means to me,” Hahn said. “It makes me feel proud to be recognized for how much I have grown as a teacher over the years and how much hard work I have put into providing students with lessons and activities that enrich their learning experience.”
The mission of the SEFS program is to engage Florida K-12 students and teachers in cutting-edge research by providing science role models and experiences that inspire the future stewards of the planet.
Atkins and Hahn were selected from a pool of more than 1,000 K-12 teachers in Florida. Both have been active in the program over the past few years and have participated in professional development workshops in which they wrote and developed lessons highlighting current research at the University of Florida that connects to the middle school science standards that they teach.
“The best part about participating in SEFS is the diversity of the scientists. When my students see a scientist who looks like them teaching them about a topic, they are more engaged and retain more information,” Atkins said.
She always had an interest in science and credits an exceptional science teacher from her middle and high school days who taught her how to effectively engage with the subject through hands-on learning and exploration of science outside of the classroom.
“I went to college to teach students with disabilities and circled back to my love of science once I started to teach middle school in 2011,” Atkins said. “I found that [my former teacher’s] approach helped me keep my diverse learners involved in my lessons and that they were really learning the material.”
“The best part of the SEFS program is that I get to participate in professional development that I am extremely excited and passionate about, which is then brought back to the classroom!” Hahn said.
Her father worked for the aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, and her mother owned a plant shop, a combination that influenced her career in science and the environment.
“As a child I would always create my own garden spaces in the yard and I love that my parents showed me their passion for animals and the ocean,” Hahn said. “Today it makes me feel proud to pass on their passions and share it with others.”
Both teachers have been innovative in providing their students with enriching experiences. They have been leaders and role models as well as mentors to teachers around the state. Through long-term collaborations with Florida scientists, Atkins and Hahn continue to be integral to the SEFS program and key to its success.
As they reflect on their award, and their participation in the SEFS program, both teachers take pride in their contributions and how they can inspire their students to translate classroom lessons into positive action.
“I hope my students remember the experiences they participated in and that it motivates them to keep exploring the world around them,” Atkins said. “Remembering that they can make a difference in the world and that they are loved is something that I hope stays with them.”
“I hope they remember that I showed them how fun and important science is! That I created the best learning environment for them that I could, and that they remember things we discussed about doing their part to help the planet,” Hahn said.