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The Dysart Unified School District is celebrating after a Shadow Ridge High School teacher was honored by a national organization.
Biology teacher Zachary Zimmerman was awarded the 2020 Outstanding Biology Teacher Award for advancing biology education in Arizona. The award is presented by the National Association of Biology Teachers in conjunction with the Carolina Biological Supple Company.
“I knew the chances of winning were fairly slim and I thought if I am going to apply I am going to do my very best and take my time to write my personal essay that explains my educational philosophy and also needed to have four people to write letters of recommendation. I also had to write up a lesson plan and basically explain how I would deliver instruction to my students during the lesson, and because of the COVID-19 situation I couldn’t just video a lesson and show it, rather I simply wrote up the lesson plan and took a video of myself explaining how I would teach that lesson and the lab project my student would be doing. And talked a little more about philosophy of education.”
Mr. Zimmerman said he gets a lot of fulfillment from helping young people grow and being a part of the development in regards to problem solving and critical thinking is exciting and one of the main reasons he teaches for a living. He said the critical thinking and problem solving skills are useful in almost any career and discipline and feels like as a teacher is making a large impact.
Mr. Zimmerman admits teaching now is a challenge as the preference is more fluid interactions with teachers and students, but said the positives from the situation include people being more technological savvy and more patient.
He has been teaching for 15 years and at Shadow Ridge for the past five, teaching in the areas of advanced placement and honors biology and anatomy and physiology. He also co-developed the state-aligned biology curriculum for the district, leads the professional learning community of biology teachers for his school, and regularly partners with local scientists to provide students with practical lab experience and career advice.
“Mr. Zimmerman’s commitment to the success, well-being, and personal growth of his students is an asset to his community and to advancing science education in Arizona. We are pleased to recognize his service with this award,” said Dr. Daryn Stover, Arizona’s OBTA director.
Editor's Note: Jennifer Jimenez can be reached at jjimenez@newszap.com or follow her on Twitter @SCW_Independent.
I am passionate about sports and community writing and shining the light on positivity, while delivering the facts. I have been with the Independent team for five months, but in the game for 15 years. I am a proud Grand Canyon University alumni. Born and raised in Peoria, I also am blessed to have a street named after me called Jennifer Rose Court.
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