Winning Science Teachers Inspire Future Physicians
By Tammy Wishard

Who or what inspired you to become a physician? For some, a teacher or mentor may have stirred a love for science. For that very reason, the 2021 Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching, announced during TexMed last week, honored five science teachers for their contributions to educating future generations of physicians.

The annual awards recognize elementary, middle, and high school teachers whose creative teaching methods play an instrumental role in stirring students’ interest and excitement in science – enough to potentially prompt them to pursue a career in medicine.

Grand Prize winner Arlevia Davis, a ninth-grade biology teacher at Legacy High School in Mansfield, supplements her classroom lessons with music videos she creates as Sciyoncé (think Beyonce). “I write songs, parodies, raps, and chants to help students engage with and remember the information we are learning,” Mrs. Davis said.

She hopes the award is an example to her students. “I would like them to know hard work pays off, and it’s ok to dream big and think outside the box to try for those things that seem impossible.”  

She will receive $20,000, and her school will receive a $5,000 resource grant to enhance its science teaching. The other winning teachers are:

Distinguished Award winners: TMA awards each honoree $7,000; the winners’ schools receive a $3,000 resource grant.

  • Valerie Valadez – Clara Love Elementary School, Justin
  • Alejandra Martinez – Memorial Junior High School, Eagle Pass
  • Sergio Estrada – Riverside High School, El Paso

Rookie Award winner: The Rookie Award winner receives $5,000, and the school receives a $2,000 resource grant.

  • Crystal Deville – Grand Oaks High School, Spring

If you know a great science teacher, be sure to nominate him or her for the 2022 awards.

Last Updated On

May 17, 2021

Originally Published On

May 17, 2021

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Tammy Wishard

Account Manager, Division of Communications and Marketing

(512) 370-1470
Tammy Wishard

Tammy Wishard is an account manager in TMA’s Marketing Department. She works with TMA’s Office of Trust Fund Administration and other departments to help communicate the broad range of services and resources TMA offers its members. She has a 25-plus-year history with TMA, where she started as a writer/editor. Tammy, a proud Iowa native, is a graduate of Abilene Christian University.

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