By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
While her students were in their Bowling Green High School classroom last week, Gloria Gajewicz was in Washington, D.C., helping to concoct strategies for teaching science.
She took a break from the White House Federal STEM Educational Summit to answer questions about her latest honor – receiving a Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching.
“This is super exciting,” Gajewicz said.
There is just something magical about science – and about teaching it, she said.
“We’re always finding out new things,” in science, she said. “It’s exciting to bring my students along on the journey.”
It’s a journey Gajewicz has been taking students on for more than 23 years – 18 at Bowling Green High School. She currently teaches chemistry to juniors and physical science to freshmen.
And she is being recognized for being one of the top science educators in the nation. The presidential award is the most prestigious award given to science teachers.
“I’m meeting people from all across the country,” Gajewicz said. “It is humbling.”
Gajewicz was inspired to teach science by some well-known retired science teachers from Bowling Green City Schools – Roger Mazzarella and Bob Rex.
“They sparked that interest in me,” she said.
And now she’s continuing to pass along the torch.
As a teacher she believes strongly in a hands-on approach. Instead of giving students the equation and then sending them home to work out a set of problems, they start with a lab, then pick apart the process.
The students work at white boards in peer review sessions, helping each other through their own discovery of the material and guided by Gajewicz’s questions, to present it to the class. This process allows her to better adjust her teaching for the different levels of understanding in the class, asking easier questions of students a bit behind, and challenging students who might otherwise be bored.
Her dedication to science reaches beyond the classroom. She started the first robotics team at her school and has hosted many student teachers over the years.
Gajewicz’s leadership among colleagues encompasses teachers nationally through her service as a teacher leader for the American Modeling Teachers Association. She has presented sessions on modeling instruction at several conferences and has led workshops for teachers in Ohio and Texas.
And now, this latest award has sparked further interest in Gajewicz – possibly taking her even further beyond the classroom, to make an even bigger impact.
“I think this has inspired me to help change the face of science education at the national level,” she said.
“Receiving the Presidential Award means that I join past recipients who are admired and respected in my profession,” Gajewicz stated in her official response. “I salute all the nominees, each of whom has made incredible contributions to math and science education; their innovative spirit and support of students across our country to create, apply, and share their insight is inspirational. Many of my professors, colleagues, and students encourage me to be a better educator and PAEMST is in recognition of their contribution to my career.”
