STEM Excellence Award Recipients

The TSIN STEM Excellence Awards Recipients

Tennessee’s recent successes in STEM are due to the combined efforts of strong teachers in the classroom, innovative school and district/regional leaders, and advocates that place STEM on the top of their priority lists. The STEM Excellence Awards are designed to recognize a phenomenal teacher, a leader of a school, district, or regional/state organization, and an exceptional advocate for STEM education. Award recipients are recognized at the annual Tennessee STEM Innovation Summit held every spring.


Applications for the 2023 STEM Excellence Awards are closed. 

The STEM Excellence Awards are designed to:

Promote effective teaching strategies by recognizing and rewarding quality STEM teachers.

Highlight effective advocacy partnerships at the local and state levels.

Share strategies for creating an innovative STEM culture within a school building/district/region.

Interested in Nominating Someone?

Excellence in STEM Teaching Award
Excellence in innovation in the field of STEM education teaching
Applications are closed
      Excellence in STEM Leadership Award
Excellence in innovation in the field of STEM education leadership
Applications are closed
Excellence in STEM Advocacy Award
Excellence in advocacy for the field of STEM education
 
Applications are closed

2023 STEM Excellence Award Winners

Excellence in STEM Teaching

Mendi Catlett

STEM Teacher

Ooltewah Elementary School

Ooltewah, TN
Excellence in STEM Leadership

Dr. Michael Ford

Principal

Randolph Howell Elementary STEM School

Columbia, TN
 Excellence in STEM Advocacy

Dr. Brittany Mosby

Director of Historically Black Colleges and Universities Success


Nashville, TN
Excellence in STEM Innovation

Dr. Melissa Collins

Second Grade Teacher

 John P. Freeman Optional School

Memphis, TN

2022 STEM Excellence Award Winners

Excellence in STEM Teaching

Latisha King

STEM & Science Teacher

Arlington Middle School School

Arlington, TN
Excellence in STEM Leadership

Jessica Holloway

Innovation Coach

Hamilton County Schools

Chattanooga, TN
 Excellence in STEM Advocacy

Dr. Judith Iriarte-Gross

Chemistry Professor & Director of Women in STEM Center 

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, TN
Excellence in STEM Innovation

Carlos Galindo

Outreach Coordinator

Millard Oakley STEM Center

Cookeville, TN

2021 STEM Excellence Award Winners

Excellence in STEM Teaching

Ben Di'Chiara

STEM Teacher

Peabody High School

Trenton, TN
Excellence in STEM Leadership

Dr. Hans Ballew

Principal

Northview Primary

Kodak, TN
 Excellence in STEM Advocacy

Dr. Lynn Hodge

Director East TN STEM Hub & College of Education, Health, & Human Sciences: Theory & Practice in Teacher Education

The University of Tennessee

Knoxville, TN
Excellence in STEM Innovation

R. Keith Booker

STEM and CTE Lead

T-STEM Academy at East High School

Memphis, TN

2020 STEM Excellence Award Winners

Excellence in STEM Teaching

Nikki Russell

STEM Teacher

Orchard Knob Elementary School

Chattanooga, TN
Excellence in STEM Leadership

Tommy Elliott

Principal

Whitehaven Elementary School

Memphis, TN
 Excellence in STEM Advocacy

Candice Halbert

Founder, Yo-STEM

Youth Outreach in STEM


Oak Ridge, TN
Excellence in STEM Innovation

Dan Caldwell

Senior Manager

Learning Pathways at Nissan

Smyrna, TN

2019 STEM Excellence Award Winners

Excellence in STEM Teaching

Amy Fricks

STEAM Teacher


DeKalb County High School


Smithville, TN

Excellence in STEM Leadership

Don Bartch

Principal


Overall Creek Elementary School

Murfreesboro, TN


Excellence in STEM Advocacy

Dr. Stephanie Ivey

West TN STEM Hub Director

University of Memphis


Memphis, TN


Excellence in STEM Innovation

Becky Ashe

Principal


L&N STEM Academy


Knoxville, TN


2018 STEM Excellence Award Winners

Excellence in STEM Teaching

Sharon Clark

4-5 Grades STEM Teacher

East Side Intermediate School

Brownsville, TN
Excellence in STEM Leadership

Erin Thurston

STEM Coordinator

Jack Anderson Elementary School

Hendersonville, TN
Excellence in STEM Advocacy

Billy Hix

Professor Emeritus

Motlow State Community College

Smyrna, TN
Excellence in STEM Innovation

Tony Donen

Principal

STEM School Chattanooga


Chattanooga, TN

2017 STEM Excellence Award Winners

Excellence in STEM Teaching

Christa Phillips


STEM Teacher

Houston High School


Germantown, TN
Excellence in STEM Leadership

Dr. BJ Worthington


Director of Schools

Clarksville-Montgomery County

Clarksville, TN
Excellence in STEM Advocacy

Dr. Stacy Klein-Gardner

Director of the Center for STEM Education for Girls

Harpeth Hall, 

Nashville, TN
Excellence in STEM Innovation

Keri Randolph


Director of Innovation

 Hamilton County Department of Education

 Chattanooga, TN

FAQS

When are nominations open?

Applications for the 2022 STEM Excellence Awards are now open. 

Where and when is the ceremony held?

Awards are typically given at the TN STEM Innovation Summit.  2022 Excellence Awards announcements will be made in May 2022.

Who can I nominate?

You may nominate a colleague or yourself.

How do I nominate someone?

Select the 'Learn More' button above and fill out the application for the award you are interested in. When finished, submit the completed application. 
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