Amgen Award 2005 – Amazing Science Teachers Share Their Secrets
We all have attended our share of awards banquets and recognition dinners, but tonight’s celebration was like none I have ever attended. Tonight I received the honor of getting to speak to the 2005 Colorado recipients of the Amgen Award for Science Teaching Excellence and the many honored guests who turned out to celebrate the achievements of two amazing teachers. Bob Dorsett of Meeker High School in Meeker, Colorado, and Mary Ann Varanka Martin of Estes Park High School in Estes Park, Colorado, each took home a cash award of $5,000 for their personal use and $5,000 awarded to their school.
Bob Dorsett has a list of accomplishments a mile long, but I was most impressed with his ability to motivate and inspire students to think like scientists. One of the many letters that accompanied his nomination was written by a student who explained that Dr. Dorsett only has two rules in his class. “Rule #1 is to think like a scientist and Rule #2 is to treat all living beings with respect.” Oh, by the way, the “doctor” title is an M.D. That’s right, he left the medical profession to teach science. Amazing!
Mary Ann Varanka Martin exhibits strong leadership
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