Lisa McLellan, of Windham High School, recently earned the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science.
President Barack Obama has named Windham High School chemistry teacher Lisa McLellan one of 108 outstanding mathematics and science teachers across the United States.
McLellan, along with William O’Brien, a math teacher at Camden Hills Regional High School, were the two Maine teachers to receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching this year. Both received $10,000 from the National Science Foundation and will travel to Washington to receive the awards later this summer.
McLellan, a resident of Saco who received a degree in biology from the University of Southern Maine, has taught physics and chemistry at Windham High School since 2003. Previously, she worked as an educational technician at the Village School in Gorham.
“I always have loved science,” McLellan said. “A lot of the new careers are in science and it will continue to be that way. Science is what produces our technology. Innovations come from science. Where we’re likely to need people to work and create new ideas is going to be in science.”
McLellan, who now teaches chemistry to sophomores, juniors and seniors, also coaches students who participate in the Science Olympiad, Science Bowl, and American Chemical Society Chemistry Olympiad competitions. She has also led educational trips to the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, and the British Virgin Islands. Last year, McLellan was named a state finalist for the Presidential Award.
Regional School Unit 14 Superintendent Sandy Prince said he was not surprised that McLellan had won the Presidential award.
“Every year we meet with the top 1 percent of our students and they always talk about a teacher or two that inspired them,” Prince said. “Lisa’s name continually comes up about how she made such an impression on them through the years.”
Windham High School Principal Chris Howell praised McLellan’s teaching skills and standards.
“She is a very talented teacher who creates experiences in the classroom to make chemistry come alive,” Howell said. “She also demands quite a bit of her students. She has a very rigorous classroom. Students who participate in her class, especially Advanced Placement classes, typically do very well.”
In a press release announcing the awards, President Obama said the outstanding teachers are paving the way toward future scientific breakthroughs and technological innovations.
“These teachers are shaping America’s success through their passion for math and science,” Obama said. “Their leadership and commitment empower our children to think critically and creatively about science, technology, engineering and math. The work these teachers are doing in our classrooms today will help ensure that America stays on the cutting edge tomorrow.”
McLellan said she was looking forward to speaking with the members of Maine’s congressional delegation when she heads to Washington.
“I’m going to get to meet with our senators and representatives when we go to Washington, D.C., and have an opportunity to talk with them about educational policy and the direction of education in Maine and in the country,” she said. “I think it’s an amazing opportunity to be able to have conversations with people at that level and potentially have an impact on education.”
Lisa McLellanSend questions/comments to the editors.
