2016 PAEMST Primary Science Awardee

Nancy Wright

Primary Science Presidential Award Recipient

"I am extremely honored to be receiving the Presidential Award. There are so many exceptional science teachers that are equally deserving of this award, and being chosen is both humbling and exciting. I am thrilled about the opportunity to meet with our country’s policymakers and to collaborate with excellent teachers from across the country. I feel so lucky to be awarded for doing something that I love. This award motivates me to become a better educator and advocate for science education."

Nancy Wright is an elementary science specialist in Hayward Unified School District, teaching first through sixth grade students for the past seven years. She currently teaches third through sixth grade science at Lorin Eden Elementary School and serves as the Science Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA), leading the implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for her district.

In the classroom, Nancy increases students’ wonder for science using hands-on activities and utilizing student academic discourse. She enriches the school community by teaching afterschool gifted and talented education enrichment, leading the engineering club, coordinating the school science fair, and supporting the district science fair.

As the school’s TOSA, Nancy leads the transition to the NGSS by founding and facilitating the district Science Advisory Panel to develop a coherent science implementation plan. She supports science teachers through one-on-one coaching and writing sample curriculum. Nancy plans and delivers all science professional development for K-12 science teachers in her district.

Nancy earned a B.A. in human development from California State University, East Bay. She is certified to teach multiple subjects to elementary students, teach integrated science to students in kindergarten through ninth grade, and teach biological sciences up to 12th grade.