We’re proud to honor the following USEA award winners who have displayed passion and dedication for STEM disciplines.
USEA award criteria and eligibility
Jump to: 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016
2024 Winners
USEA President's Award — La Keisha Leonard, Teach North Texas
La Keisha Leonard is a graduate of Teach North Texas at the University of North Texas and is now a Master Teacher for the program. Her passion, expertise, and heart make her a valuable leader within the USEA community, and her contributions continue to make an impact on USEA and STEM education across the country.
La Keisha's dedication to her work and her unwavering commitment to the advancement of STEM education are evident in all that she does. Before returning to her alma mater as the first Alumni to be hired as a Master Teacher, La Keisha taught high school Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry. La Keisha’s favorite and most impactful teaching assignment was at a Project-Based Learning academy, where her passion for STEM education flourished and expanded.
Since returning to the University of North Texas, La Keisha has become an invaluable member of her faculty and the USEA community. An integral part to countless USEA initiatives, La Keisha took on the role of chair of the ERJ Professional Development Working Group in 2020 and, with a co-speaker, delivered the opening address for UTeach’s 2023 Equity and Racial Justice in STEM Teacher Development Summit. La Keisha's exceptional efforts in planning and speaking at the Summit made her an obvious choice to lead the newly formed UTeach STEM Educators Conference Programming Committee, which helps shape conference content and engagement.
La Keisha’s enduring positivity and enthusiasm for creating strong connections is a bright light, essential to the success and innovation of USEA.
Outstanding Master Teacher Award — Kelli Allen, UTeach Austin
Kelli Allen is an Associate Professor in Practice and Master Teacher at the University of Texas at Austin. An integral part of the UTeach community, Kelli has exhibited unwavering commitment to her students, colleagues, and the educational mission of UTeach.
Kelli prioritizes the unique needs and strengths of each of her students, emphasizing the importance and value of diversity in the classroom. Whether it’s modeling equity-focused lessons in UTeach Apprentice Teaching Seminars or developing observation protocols to highlight inclusive teaching practices, Kelli demonstrates the importance of celebrating individuality in the classroom. She is instrumental to the continuing success of UTeach Austin, acting as an apprentice teacher supervisor and traveling far and wide to observe student teachers placed in remote districts. Her commitment to her students and fellow teachers is evident, leading those around her to describe her as a true innovator, capable of tackling challenges with compassion and skill.
Throughout her 30+ years as a STEM educator, Kelli has played a pivotal role in strengthening STEM education for all. As a current member of the UTeach for Texas Planning Committee and the UTeach Curriculum Revision Working Group, she strives to enhance teaching practices, support teacher development, and foster student success in STEM fields. Kelli’s genuine passion for education is rivaled only by her dedication to mentorship, collaboration, and commitment — fostering a culture of respect and positivity, both in and out of the classroom.
Outstanding Alumni Award — Michelle Laskowski, GeauxTeach alumnus
Michelle Laskowski is a graduate of the GeauxTeach STEM program at Louisiana State University. A National Board-certified CTE teacher and Washington State-endorsed CS teacher, Michelle teaches Mathematics and Computer Science at Fife High School and acts as the CTE department chair and Building Technology Instructor.
In the classroom, Michelle is a tireless advocate for her students. Founder of her school’s competition Robotics team, Michelle encourages her students to voice their opinions and listen to their peers. Along with revamping the Algebra I curriculum to include culturally relevant examples and attending regular professional development workshops, Michelle coordinates a STEM Carnival for her school where students can create and host stations to teach their peers about 3D modeling, computer programming, and more. Her innovative teaching methods foster student-centered curiosity and exploration through her workshop-style classes.
Michelle's dedication to inclusive education is rooted in her experience with GeauxTeach, where she learned to collaborate with fellow educators, drawing on their individual experiences and backgrounds to encourage engagement and community building among her peers. Michelle is an active member of Puget Sound CSTA and CSForAllWashington, where she regularly meets to discuss CS education within the lens of Washington legislation. Michelle’s advocacy, creativity, and transformative approach to STEM teaching reflect her belief in the power of education to enact positive change.
Outstanding Staff Award — Aaron Koehler, UTeach Austin
Aaron Koehler is the Academic Services Manager, UTeach Access Student Services Manager, and a UTeach Academics Advisor for the UTeach Austin program at the University of Texas at Austin.
His steadfast dedication to students makes Aaron’s impact significant and widespread. Through his creation of the UTeach Austin Student Ambassador program, Aaron has mentored 14 student interns, marketed the program to roughly 12,000 students each semester, and created countless community engagement events to bring students together. When feedback indicated a desire for more educational resources outside of the classroom, Aaron, in partnership with professors and student ambassadors, created the Wednesday Workshop series where students, instructors, and alumni can come together to discuss topics like serving students with disabilities, deepening communication skills, methods of assessment, and how to bring creativity to the classroom. He has developed countless recruitment and retention strategies, like UTeach Palooza and Step 1 Snack Bag Delivery, and he facilitates the annual UTeach Town Hall.
His innovation, originality, and enthusiasm have fostered an environment where students feel supported and have resources to aid in their success, both in and out of the classroom. A flexible and solution-oriented addition to the UTeach Austin team, Aaron has fostered an environment dedicated to innovation, originality, and adaptability. His positive spirit keeps everyone around him feeling motivated and inspired.
USEA Special Award — Dr. Dana Grosser-Clarkson, Terrapin Teachers
Dr. Dana Grosser-Clarkson has been involved in the Terrapin Teachers program at the University of Maryland for over 10 years, moving from doctoral student to post-doctoral student and now to Master Teacher. Referred to fondly by peers as “not only a fantastic educator but an amazing colleague and overall human being,” she has dedicated her career to furthering STEM education in her community and nationwide through her tireless advocacy efforts, inclusivity, and commitment to fostering meaningful relationships with colleagues and students alike.
Dr. Grosser-Clarkson is the founding faculty member of her local NCTM student affiliate, the Future Mathematics Teacher Council, secretary of the Association of Maryland Mathematics Teacher Educators, 13-time advisor of student presentations at the Michigan Early Career Teaching Conference, and speaker at the 2023 Building Community Through Resource Sharing Conference. She has also acted as faculty advisor for two alumni book clubs and works especially hard to keep in contact with her former students through community-building events and by attending their presentations at conferences, as well as sharing resources through social media groups and meeting in person to talk about inclusion and equity.
Colleagues who teach near her classroom say they frequently hear laughter and collaboration and express that, if they could, they would “turn back the hands of time to have her as a teacher.” Dana was nominated for the Donna B. Hamilton Teaching Award at the University of Maryland and has been identified by past students as a “most influential teaching mentor.” Dr. Grosser-Clarkson is an exemplary educator, taking true delight in creating community around the joy, wonder, and beauty of mathematics.
2023
Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award
Dr. David Sparks, UTeach at Permian Basin
Outstanding Master Teacher Award
Dr. Jacqueline Ekeoba, teachHOUSTON
Outstanding Alumni Award
Preston Dozier, UTeach Dallas
USEA Special Award
Elizabeth Goldberg, UTeach Dallas
2022
Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award
Emily Hennessy, UTeach Dallas
Outstanding Faculty Scholar Award
Sherry Southerland, FSU-Teach
Outstanding Master Teacher Award
Paige Evans, teachHOUSTON
Outstanding Alumni Award
Alexander Eden, UTeach at the University of Massachusetts Lowell
Outstanding Staff Award
Michelle Lowry, UTeach Austin
2021
USEA Special Award
Jennifer Smith, UTeach Austin
Tim Sears, UTRGV UTeach
Rachel George, CWU Teach STEM
Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award
Michael Odell, UTeach Tyler
Outstanding Master Teacher Award
Katie Donaldson, UTeach Dallas
Outstanding Alumni Award
Spencer Martin, UTeach Austin
Carlos Perez, teachHOUSTON
Outstanding Staff Award
Leah McAllister-Shields, teachHOUSTON
2020
Special Award for Outstanding Contributions to STEM Education
Mariam Manuel, University of Houston
Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award
Martha Day, Western Kentucky University
Outstanding Master Teacher Award
Michael Ralph, University of Kansas
Outstanding Alumni Award
Kira Lowery, UTeach Austin
Outstanding Staff Award
Monica Yates, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
2019
USEA President's Award
Larry Abraham, University of Texas at Austin
Special Award for Outstanding Contributions to STEM Education
Ariel Taylor, University of Texas at Austin
Outstanding Master Teacher Award
Shelly Rodriguez, University of Texas at Austin
Outstanding Staff Award
Erin Gonzales, UTeach Arlington
Outstanding Alumni Award
Amieé Himler, UTeach Dallas
2018
Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award
Dr. Greg Hale, University of Texas at Arlington
Outstanding Master Teacher Award
Rico Tyler, University of Western Kentucky
Outstanding Staff Award
Kim Distin, University of Texas at Dallas
Outstanding Alumni Awaard
Jennifer West, UTeach Arlington
2017
USEA President's Award
Carrie Culpepper
Outstanding Faculty Scholar Award
Lisa Duffin, Western Kentucky University
Outstanding Master Teacher Award
Pamela Powell, University of Texas at Austin
Outstanding Alumni Award
Janice Trinidad, UTeach Austin
Outstanding Staff Award
Lindsey Robinson, University of West Georgia
USEA Special Award
Tracy LaQuey Parker
2016
Outstanding Faculty Award
Mark Daniels, University of Texas at Austin
Outstanding Master Teacher Award
Perri Segura, University of Houston
Outstanding Alumni Award
William Kiker, UTeach Austin
