2009 California State Science Fair
Teacher of the Year — Junior Division

The award citation at the Awards Ceremony reads:

This year’s Teacher of the Year has been involved in the Science Fair for 20 years, at both the high school and middle school levels. She encourages students to pick projects based on what they are interested in and like to do.

Described by her principal as an integral part of developing the middle school science program, this teacher involves all ages in the school science fair, having older students serve as judges for the younger ones. Working beyond normal school hours at such endeavors as putting together citywide science fairs, she is credited as an asset to the entire community.

According to this teacher, if she has talked for five minutes in the classroom, she has talked too long. She believes that students learn best by doing and consistently engages her classes in hands-on activities. She only interrupts these activities to briefly assess student learning.

This teacher hopes to inspire her students to think like a scientist, and is well rewarded by seeing the sparkle in their eyes.

Please join me in congratulating our Junior Division Teacher of the Year — from Livermore Valley Charter School in Alameda County — Susan Johnston!

Susan Johnston was named as advisor on the following project this year: J0221.