Leadership Award

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The Excellence in STEM Leadership Award

The Ohio STEM Learning Network (OSLN) seeks to highlight excellence in STEM education through the OSLN Excellence in STEM Leadership Award.

Self nominate or nominate a school leader who has inspired you throughout the 2022-2023 school year.

Each awardee will be recognized at the 2023 Ohio STEM Innovation Summit being held on May 12, 2023. Along with being recognized at the Ohio STEM Innovation Summit, the awardee will be invited to a celebration dinner held on May 11, 2023. The state award winner will also be given an opportunity to present on best practices and STEM innovation at the 2024 statewide summit during a breakout session.

Eligibility

The applicant must be an Ohio resident with experience innovating STEM education through their leadership, community partnerships, and/or place based initiatives. We are seeking leaders who demonstrate a passion for the advancement of STEM education in Ohio that leads to positive student learning outcomes. Nominees must be current leaders working in the 2022-2023 academic year.

Additional Documentation

Two letters of support. These letters need to be from the following list:

One letter should be from a building teacher.
One letter could be from:
- A colleague
- An industry partner
- A member of the governing body

Letters should be 500 words or less and give a description of the leader nominee’s leadership qualities, overall vision for STEM education, and ways they foster relationships with community leaders or local industries.

Timeline

Friday, February 24: Nomination application closes

Monday, April 3: Awardees notified

Thursday, May 11: Awards granted and winners celebrated

Applications for the Leadership Award are currently closed.

Past winners

2021
Meg Draeger

Meg Draeger is the STEMM Coordinator for Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School in Dayton, Ohio.

2020
Dana Letts

Dana Letts is the STEM Instructional Specialist K-6 for Chillicothe City Schools.

2019
Melissa Durkin

Melissa Durkin is the Principal of Ranger High-Tech Academy in North Ridgeville, Ohio.

2018
Melissa Drury

Melissa Drury was the Principal at Summit Road STEM Elementary, recognized as a national exemplar for elementary STEM education by the National Science Foundation.