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Distinguished Secondary School Teaching Award
This award program, sponsored by the Office of the President with the cooperation of the School of Education and Social Policy, and supported by the Associated Student Government, recognizes the transforming power of high school teachers in our lives and our communities.
2024 Award Recipients
Lauren Baugher
Lauren Baugher has taught physical education, health, and wellness since 1998 at Newton North High School in Newton, Massachusetts, where she is the varsity softball head coach and varsity field hockey coach. She has developed curriculums, served on panels and committees, led summits, served as a facilitator, coached other varsity and junior varsity sports, and for five years served as assistant dean. In the Newton community she founded the K–8 Newton Youth Field Hockey program. Previously Baugher was an assistant softball coach at Boston College. Inducted into the University of Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame for field hockey, lacrosse, and softball, she is on the Master’s USA World Cup team and has been a member and captain of the USA Women’s World Cup field hockey team since 2018. Winner of her school’s Brenda Keegan Award, Baugher received the Massachusetts Interschool Athletic Association’s Massachusetts Women in Athletics Distinguished Service Award. “She absolutely transforms the lives of all students who enter Newton North High School,” says student nominator Anabel Marre of the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. Baugher holds a BS in health and physical education from the University of Delaware, an MEd in human movement from Boston University, an MA in educational leadership from Framingham State College, and certifications in physical education, principal/assistant principal administration, and mediation.
Ryne Emerick
Ryne Emerick has taught biology, research, and other science courses at Lebanon High School in Lebanon, Missouri, since 2010. A member of its school guiding coalition and professional development committee, he led a full-scale renovation of a student lab space and initiated a research program that has secured major grants and prizes through students’ successes in local, regional, and international competitions. Emerick has been named the high school’s 2020–21 teacher of the year, the district’s 2020–21 secondary teacher of the year, the Missouri Junior Academy of Science 2023 teacher of the year, and a Society for Science Advocate for the past two years, in addition to receiving two Ozark Science and Engineering Fair teacher awards. He is a member of the Science Coach Organization and with his students has coauthored scientific articles published in the Journal of Emerging Investigators. “His teaching style and the programs he has brought to my rural, low-income high school are unparalleled,” says student nominator Emily Lester of the School of Education and Social Policy. Emerick earned a BS in conservation and wildlife management at the College of the Ozarks as well as secondary science teaching certification and an MS in biological science at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He holds professional teaching certifications in biology and general science.Leon Grant
Leon Grant has taught pre-engineering since 2013 at Marietta High School in Marietta, Georgia, where
he is faculty adviser for five STEM organizations and has secured international certifications for the pre-engineering program. Grant also founded and directs the K–12 Engineering Pipeline at Marietta City Schools. Previously in Georgia he headed Paulding County Schools’ pre-engineering program, also founding and directing the area’s Bridge-Gap STEM Initiative. His many honors include the Women in Engineering ProActive Network’s Leader in Engineering Education Award, the Association of Career and Technical Education’s National Carl Perkins Community Service Award, the Discover E Educator Award, the Georgia Association for Career and Technical Education’s Engineering Division Teacher of the Year Award (twice), the IEEE-USA K–12 STEM Educator-Engineer Partnership Award, Paulding County Schools’ District-Wide Teacher of the Year Award, and Marietta High School’s Teacher of the Year Award. “I’m thankful every day for the way he taught me to approach problems,”
says student nominator Marcos Rios of the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science. Grant holds a BASc in mechanical engineering technology from Southern Polytechnic State University, an MA in Christian education from Dallas Theological Seminary, and teacher certifications in technology education, trade and industrial education, and the electronics occupations cluster.Shawn Gudmunsen
Shawn Gudmunsen has been the director of grade 7–12 vocal music for Wisconsin’s St. Croix Falls School District since 2000, conducting five school choirs and teaching courses in music theory, music history, and theater. He was a leading advocate for constructing the district’s Fine Arts Center and serves as its director. Gudmunsen is also an instructional academic staff professor of music education at the University of Wisconsin–River Falls. Previously in Wisconsin he taught vocal and general music for three years in the Osceola School District. Active in statewide music organizations, he has served as the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association’s All-State Choir coordinator, the Wisconsin School Music Association’s middle-level tenor coach, and the Wisconsin Music Educators Association’s research chair and choral chair. Gudmunsen has also appeared as an honors clinician throughout the state and has given presentations at state and national conferences. A 2020 Kohl Fellowship recipient, he was named the STAR Education Foundation’s 2018 Teacher of the Year and won the Wisconsin School Music Association’s 2023 Award for Excellence in Teaching Music. Student nominator Andrew Opel of the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science says, “His impact on me as a role model, teacher, and friend makes him one of the most influential people in my life.” Gudmunsen earned his BMEd and MSEd from UW–River Falls.
Flávia Twardowski
Flávia Twardowski has taught biochemistry and production and quality management since 2010 at the Osório campus of Brazil’s Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Rio Grande do Sul, where she also served for six years as research director. As leader of its Science Club and STEM extracurricular activities, Twardowski has guided many elementary and high school students to national and international recognition. She has coauthored numerous journal articles and book chapters as well as the book Práticas em Tecnologia de Alimentos. Recognized as a featured teacher by Brazil’s Ministry of Education, she has received a Rio Grande do Sul Legislative Assembly medal, a PIEC/Ambipar Inspiring Educator Award, a Brazilian Women Making a Difference Award from Brazil’s US embassy and consulates, and multiple awards for promoting research in high school. Student nominator Juliana Davoglio Estradioto of the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science praises Twardowski’s “unwavering commitment to her students, the school, and social causes. Her remarkable research mentoring commitment and unwavering learning support set her apart as an outstanding educator.” Twardowski holds an undergraduate degree in food engineering, an MS in food science and technology, and a PhD in management engineering from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul as well as a bachelor’s degree in pedagogy from the Federal Institution of Rio Grande do Sul.