Awards for Excellence in STEM Education

The Ohio Academy of Science has selected 15 APS schools and more than 200 of its teachers to receive The Governor's Thomas Edison Award for Excellence in STEM Education and Student Research for their accomplishments during the 2023-24 school year. Each school will receive a special Governor's Award certificate, and each teacher will receive a complementary membership to The Ohio Academy of Science.

The Office of Technology Investments, The Ohio Department of Development funded the program. The criteria for the Thomas Edison Award for Excellence are: (1) Conduct a local science fair with 12 or more students and have two or more of these students participate in the District Science Day or have 6 or more students participate in the District Science Day when no local has been conducted, (2) Students must participate in at least one more youth science opportunity beyond the classroom. The Ohio Academy of Science defines STEM education as both the mastery and integration of science technology, engineering and mathematics for all PK-12 students. It incorporates scientific inquiry and technological design through student-focused, project-based curricula to develop skills of communication, teamwork/collaboration, creativity/innovation, critical thinking and problem solving.

First established in 1985, the Governor’s Thomas Edison Awards recognize Ohio schools and teachers who stimulate scientific student research and technological design and extend experiential opportunities beyond traditional classroom activities. “We are proud to honor these schools and teachers for preparing students for the future through application-based learning," said Michael E. Woytek, the Academy’s Executive Director. Woytek went on to say, “the students are learning and gaining confidence by solving complex problems through inquiry and technological design.”

Akron Public Schools Supt. Dr. Michael Robinson was thrilled at the news, saying, “This lets all of Ohio know just how strong we are in the sciences and how exceptional our teaching staff is with our scholars.”

The Ohio Academy of Science initiated this educational partnership program in cooperation with The Office of Technology Investments, The Ohio Department of Development to recognize schools and teachers for excellence in STEM education and scientific student research.

“Today’s young scientists are the architects of tomorrow’s promising economic landscape, and we are so grateful for the invaluable role these schools and teachers play in supporting their pursuit of knowledge,” said Lydia Mihalik, Director of the Department of Development. "Through their dedication to STEM education, these educators are empowering students to become the relentless innovators who will build a better future for Ohio.”

About The Ohio Academy of Science
Founded in 1891, The Ohio Academy of Science (OAS) is a membership-based, volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organization. The Academy is the leading organization in Ohio to foster curiosity, discovery, innovation and problem-solving skills. OAS members are as diverse as the science taking place in Ohio, and OAS programs support STEM research among pre-college and college students through the professional scientific community. For more information about the OAS, please visit its website at http://www.ohiosci.org.

Akron’s Honored Teachers

Akron Early College High School
Bambi Berger
Elizabeth Chaplin
Katrina Dunn
Lisa Andrews
Mona Kotran
Timothy Hendrix
Tom O’Neil
Tori Peake
Travis McCown
Wendy Keaton

Buchtel CLC
Darlene Helems-Alaniz
Derek Butler
Faith Forinash
Heather Hinkle
Jasmyne Anderson
Joshua Lingenhoel
Kristin Clites
Lon Cseplo
Lynn Webb
Matthew Derksen
Matthew Simpson
Samuel Haake
Tiffany McCants
Wyatt Daulbaugh

East CLC
Tracy Braho
William Casterlow
Sonal Chandra
Thomas Ely
Ashlet Forte
Katie Labbe
Linda Loya
Michelle Hillier
Sonja Spencer-Jackson
Ray Wilkins
Shayla Smith

Ellet CLC
Angela Demchak
Ann Rose
Blake Beluscak
Connie Coon
Danielle Streb
Dawn Durbin
Hannah Couch
John Guidubaldi
Judy Sudomir
Katherine Givens
Katherine Mertel
Kristen Domonkos
Matt Cochran
Nick Harris
Ron Boldry
Steve Carter
Tammy Dickson
William Stone

Firestone CLC
Andrew Wallen
Cassandra Hanna
Catina Stecz
Dexter Dave
Jennifer Thomas
Joshua Oldham
Maginel Hipsley
Penny Porter
Samantha Wade
Sara Schaefer
Scott Westphal
Shannon Kotradi
Tracy Bess-Wilmington

Garfield CLC
Clayton Cundiff
Margaret Busker-Postlethwait
Monica Speights
Phil Mitchell
Stephanie Martin
Terence Wise

National Inventors Hall of Fame STEM High School
Allison Klingbeil
Angela Hammelman
Ben Graber
Branko Nuss
Brian Bennett
Brianne Remenaric
Colleen Schloss
Dina Popa
Emily Brewer
Janice Weaver
Jeff Caranna
Jun Chen
Kailey Kellehan
Katie Lovell
Katie Metcalf
Krista Bowden
Marvin Grandison
Matthew Brooks
Matthew York
Michelle Johnson
Mike Palumbo
Monique Binkley
Nate Cohen
Sam Appleby
Sammy AlDoory
Sara Leffler
Shane Dantz
Su Hsien Hsu
Tanner Hughes
William Metcalf
Zach Griffith

Hyre CLC
Barb Nicholson
Daniel Hughes
Daniel Sheets
Jennifer Yeargin
Jon Short
Julian Janota
Kayla Barrino
Sarah Mizak
Tamika Bates
Tracey Bowman

I PROMISE School
Abbie Akucewich
Adam Crow
Adrian Daley
Ali Harding
Amanda Rager
Amy Hynes
Amy Hynes
Amy Kaser
Amy Rudd
Andrea Scheks
Aubryelen Kennedy
Avery Apanius
Avery Apanius
Bridget Casenhiser
Caitlyn Lavenberg
Carrie Musci
Elena Soster
Hannah Morber
Heidi Thomas
Ian Slifcak
Janice Bailey
Jill DeMarino
Karadyn Cauffield
Kay Low
Kayla Whitlow
Kaylah Tandy
Kelley Pratt
Kelley Pratt
Kelli Pestello
Kelsey Kent
Kelsey Kent
Kerry Meyer
Kim Schlegal
Kim Schlegal
Kristen Hodas
Krysten Bonacci
Laura Jourdain
Laura Jourdain
Laura Wiedenfeld
Lauren Cobb
Lawrence Clark
Leeda Shokalook
Linea Maul
Lyndsey Nopper
Marianne Schauer
Melissa Beitko
Michelle Kendel
Molly Kenney
Monique Swain
Monique Swain
Morgan Wolf
Morgan Wolf
Robert Hahn
Sam Marinchek
Sharday Suttles
Sharday Suttles
Shayla Smith
Stephanie Arnett
Stephanie Arnett
Stephanie Zende
Susan Mongold
Tara Caporuscio
Vanessa Weikhart

Innes CLC
Alecia Wydeman
Alisa Malarcik
Amanda Rasor
Amy Memmer
Angela Marshall
Daniel Kennedy
Daniel Reynolds
Dawn Joy
Dee Perdue
Gretchen Cusma
Jaimie Bennett
Jeanette Chonko
John Koulianos
Julie Barda
Justin Plas
Kaitlyn Trent
Kathy Jo Fronk
Kaylee Rykalla
Kristy Johnson
Laura Williams
Mary McClung
Nicole Wright
Summer Lamp
Tonia Allen
Tyler Gray
Valerie Skelly
Vanessa Vanzant

Jennings CLC
Arnita Skinner
Ashley Jones
Charley Nelson
Chelcee Schoenbaechler
Constantine Farmakidis
Constantine Farmakidis
Dan Schnaar
David Blankenship
Dawn Harper
Deonna Dixon
Dezirae Shutt
Elaine Wulff
Erin Dittmer
Heather Lecharia
Jennifer Bowers
Joanne Bell
Joanne Cook
Jodi Miller
Joseph Petit
Kathleen Ekama
Kennethian Green
Kindra Beekman
Makenzie Wickert
Melissa Hirschfelt
Michelle Jones
Molly Leahy
Peyton Young
Samika Thompson-Fryer
Sharon Greitzer

Litchfield CLC
Aaron Ettinger
Aaron Merz
Ben Kantorowski
Bryan Bartlett
Christine Paskiet
Danielle Dachtler
Donell Phipps
Jefferson Whited
Jennifer Cooper
Maurice Jackson
Morgan Greene, Ph.D.
Robbie Connelly
Sandra Cline
Scot Elkins

Miller South School VPA
Alison Rich
Ashley Thomas
Connie Duff
David Oravec
Doug Bayda
Karen Hazelett
Laura Feltman
Laura Valendza
Malia Tschantz
Marissa Hughes
Nichole Walje
Paul Stewart
Robert Marxen
Ruth Roope
Tracey Visco

National Inventors Hall of Fame STEM Middle School
Adrianne Brown
Angela Zumbo
Angica Weaver
Anne Harmon
Brenda Leighton
Brett Beebe
Charles Page
Chelsea Nicolino
Christine Justiss
Donna Wojcik
Elizabeth Bugner
Ellen Beldean
Hui-Chung Chang
Jackie Waterman
Jason Reitz
Jessica Mitchell
Julie Demangeont
Kallie Walker
Kasey Jones
Katie Beal
Keri Rusinko
LaTrese Sanders
Michelle Crum
Perkins Pringle
Rachandra Decatur
Rebecca Minc
Robert Hargrove
Sam Crews
Shawn Artz
Sheneeka Rodgers
Sherry Hankinson
Sydnie Barnette
Tara Davis