STEM Launch Teacher wins "Best Should Teach" award

Tara Kawalec, 7th grade science teacher at STEM Launch, won the CU Boulder "Best Should Teach" Gold Award. Tara is intentional and genuine in her interactions with students, staff, and families. Tara loves to guide students through the social and emotional challenges of middle school. Kawalec has developed many hands-on activities to teach the science standards which promote a collaborative classroom where students are encouraged to think and not just mimic a procedure. Tara has instilled a sense of curiosity and love of nature after bringing students to Niver Creek behind our school, where students observe beaver habitats and owls' nests. Tara embodies what it means to be an exemplary teacher!

The Best Should Teach Initiative celebrates excellence in teaching at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. It supports the preparation of college and university faculty, as well as public school teachers, in their disciplinary fields. Best Should Teach Gold and Silver Awards are presented at the event each year. The Best Should Teach event and awards are co-funded by the Ira and Ineva Baldwin Fund in the CU Foundation and Brian Good's private Best Should Teach Fund, with additional support from the Center for Teaching & Learning, the School of Education, and the College of Arts and Sciences.

This story exemplifies our ELEVATE Focus Area: World-Class Staff. Sharing stories about how staff is compensated, supported and trained to foster student success and family partnerships.