From Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE, Ala.–President Joe Biden announced yesterday the 336 recipients of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring.
Established in 1983, the award is the highest award K-12 math and science teachers can receive from the U.S. government and honors the vital role they play in shaping the next generation of scientists, engineers, explorers, and innovators.
Among the honorees was Hewitt-Trussville High School’s own Melanie Dimler who teaches AP Physics 1 and 2 and serves as the school’s Science Department Chair.
Melanie Dimler
“The Presidential Award means the world to me and confirms that I’m living my true calling and vocation,” Dimler said.
“I did not start my career in education, but I knew deep down that being a STEM teacher would be the perfect career for me–and it is! I love teaching physics because of the multitude of opportunities to engage students through hands-on lab activities. Being recognized for all of the time, passion, and energy I put into this truly valuable work is just icing on an already delicious cake.”
Dimler earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Louisiana State University before working as a mechanical engineer in the energy industry for several years.
“Our community is extremely fortunate to have Mrs. Melanie Dimler, not only teaching science, but leading science for our school,” HTHS Principal Aaron King said. “As the science department chair at Hewitt-Trussville High School Mrs. Dimler ensures our students receive nothing but the best in science education. I am so thankful to see Mrs. Dimler receive the recognition she deserves, and on at the national level.”
Despite her career in industry, she always had ambitions to become a classroom teacher, and after moving to Alabama with her family, she obtained her secondary science teaching certificate and began teaching physics at HTHS in 2011.
She later earned a Master of Natural Sciences from LSU through the Louisiana Math and Science Teacher Institute.
Dimler is passionate about the Physics Modeling instructional approach, which she learned about at a workshop at Arizona State University, and has seen student engagement skyrocket since employing this teaching methodology.
Using that approach, she starts each new physics unit with an opportunity for students to discover scientific and mathematical models for themselves through guided inquiry.
Dimler is also the sponsor of the SWENext Girls in Engineering Club, co-sponsor of Science Olympiad, and advisor for the School’s Chief Science Officers, and this year she was voted by HTHS students as the teacher “Most Likely to Make a Scientific Discovery.”
All of the teachers honored with the award will receive $10,000 from the National Science Foundation and a trip to Washington, D.C. to celebrate their accomplishments and participate in professional development activities with fellow STEM educators from across the nation.
