Newsletter

Openings into the Majesty & Mystery of Our Everyday World

Recognizing & Honoring Excellence in Elementary Science Teaching

Drawing-ways-that-I-use-science_300x300

April 2022

What is science? Where do you see or use science in your daily life? What do scientists actually do? How do scientists help to make our communities stronger, healthier, and more vibrant?

This year’s Champions of Discovery honorees devoted time to investigating these important questions, documenting their observations and experiments, sharing their reflections, and imagining how science might be part of their own futures.

Congratulations to these 40 educators and their 1,200+ students who have earned recognition as 2021-22 Champions of Discovery in the 11th annual CRS Science Super Star Challenge.

All of the teachers listed below have demonstrated how they are bringing meaningful science learning experiences to their students and have taken time to reflect on how these science lessons have impacted their students' learning. They shared student science journal sketches, photos of science investigations in action, and samples of student writing – and, wow, despite the many challenges of covid disruptions, these teachers and students managed to squeeze in a lot of excellent science learning!

The Gold Level Champions of Discovery took their learning to even higher levels, completing more monthly challenges and sharing more student work and teacher reflections.

Gold Level: Champions of Discovery

Berkeley Unified
School District

Berkeley Arts Magnet/Cragmont Elementary

  • Cherene Fillingim-Selk


Sylvia Mendez Elementary

  • Robin Harley

Elk Grove Unified
School District

Prairie Elementary

  • Connie Bi-On

Oakland Unified
School District

Bridges Academy at Melrose

  • Ann Park
  • Jessica Jung


Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary

  • Marta Sato


Melrose Leadership Academy

  • Gloria Garcia


New Highland Rise Community School

  • Tracy Dordell

West Contra Costa Unified
School District

Collins Elementary School

  • Janet Belanoff
  • Lorraine Gray


Ellerhorst Elementary School

  • Denise Abersold

Champions of Discovery

Berkeley Unified
School District

Cragmont Elementary

  • Neelam Patil
  • Meridith Aki

Malcolm X Elementary

  • Jessica Login

Rosa Parks Elementary

  • Suzanne Ingley


Ruth Acty Elementary

  • Bethany Lourie

Oakland Unified
School District

Bella Vista Elementary

  • Stephanie Thorne


Brookfield Village Elementary

  • Corrin Haskell


Franklin Elementary

  • Ralph Hill


Global Family School

  • Enedina Sandoval


La Escuelita Elementary

  • Amy James


Lincoln Elementary

  • Rob Fong
  • Melissa Frost

Madison Park Academy

  • Katharine Grace Flore


Manzanita Community School

  • Carrie Anderson


Markham Elementary

  • Nikita Gibbs-Nolen


Piedmont Avenue Elementary

  • Juli Ward


Prescott Elementary

  • Constance Cobb-Zunino

West Contra Costa Unified
School District

Downer Elementary

  • Laura Valenzuela


Grant Elementary

  • Stephanie Wagner


Lupine Hills Elementary

  • Jennifer Hague


Madera Elementary School

  • Juliet Jamsheed
  • Hillary Milani


Mira Vista Elementary

  • Bonnie Janora

Murphy Elementary School

  • Bronwyn Evans
  • Tracy LaFreniere
  • Madison Crocker


Ohlone Elementary

  • Janna White


Vista K12 Virtual Academy

  • Valerie Collura


Washington Elementary

  • Lisa Weaver