Shannon Seigle, teacher at the STEM School, was selected as the Tennessee Science Teachers Association (TSTA) Science Educator of the Year, grades 9-12. Ms. Seigle will be recognized at the awards ceremony at the TSTA General Session during the National Science Teachers Association 2016 Conference on Thursday, March 31, in Nashville.
Ms. Seigle has been teaching for 17 years and currently teaches junior biology and senior scientific research. Her spring 2015 biology students were the first ever to participate in a collaboration project with the University of Southern California where they designed and conducted human impact experiments, communicated and collaborated with professors at USC, and controlled the world’s only 4K-high definition microscope that is located at USC. This project was the first time that the GIG and Genie Rack was directly used in an educational collaboration. The students in her senior scientific research class participated in what is called the “Collision Project”. During their semester in scientific research, the seniors attended physics at Chattanooga State Community College where some of them took the course for physics college credits while others took the course for high school science credit.
Ms. Seigle said that she really enjoys teaching genetics, human anatomy and physiology as the concepts have a multitude of real-life, real-world connections. Her favorite thing about being a teacher is building positive relationships with her students and facilitating inquiries that help to build a love and respect for science and how it relates to the real-world.
Mr. Jamie Parris, Director of Secondary Math and Science said, “Ms. Seigle is a highly effective science teacher. She genuinely cares about her students and strives to spark their curiosity through genuine inquiry-based experiences. Ms. Seigle is the model of a true teacher in that she is constantly reflecting about her practice and learning new ways to improve her craft.”