May 5-9 is
Teacher Appreciation Week
Join AWIS in celebrating science teachers and professors
who inspire students and guide them into STEM careers
Great teachers inspire their students, teach them to think critically, encourage them to persevere, and/or provide critical advice and guidance. Their words and actions can influence career choices and collectively shape the future economy. Years later, many of us still have fond memories of a teacher or professor who made a lasting impression. Take this opportunity to let them know!
AWIS Members share their favorites:
At S.U. Diego Bravo, a rural school located in Barrio Esperanza, Arecibo, Puerto Rico, I had the honor of learning from numerous teachers who inspired my interest in STEM. Among them were Mrs. Mery Gonzales, my elementary teacher, who taught me on the phases of the moon and their impact on nature, and in middle school Mrs. Pagan, who focused on environmental science. In high school, Mrs. Benavides, my chemistry teacher, provided me with valuable laboratory skills that paved the way for my college success. Their kindness, patience, and enthusiasm for science encouraged me to excel in scientific courses and research projects, sparking my curiosity for scientific research opportunities. I am grateful for their inspiration and guidance in influencing my future in the field of science at the University of Puerto Rico, UMASS-Amherst, and Harvard Medical School. — Almaris Alonso-Claudio, PhD
Dr. Nadine Peart Akindele is the inspiration behind my career in research and the reason I found my path as an immunologist. She was my graduate mentor at Johns Hopkins, but her role in my life has extended far beyond the lab. Dr. Peart was not just a mentor at school; she was my teacher, my support system, and someone I look up to even today. She took care of me as an elder sister, helped me navigate the chaos of graduate school, nurtured my curiosity with patience, and instilled in me the discipline, resilience, and confidence that now shape both my work and who I am today. Her unwavering belief in my potential made all the difference. I carry her lessons with me every day, and I feel incredibly lucky to have her in my life, as my mentor and my teacher, not just during graduate school, but even now and always. — Laharika Katamoni
Professor Shobhana Bhosale, my college microbiology professor, played a pivotal role in my academic journey. Her exceptional teaching and mentorship inspired and nurtured my passion for science and ignited the ‘Scientist’ within me. She was a guiding light who understood me deeply, affectionately calling me ‘Gaura’ and creating a bond that felt like family. Seeing her in August 2022, during my visit to my hometown in India, was both a comfort and a shock. I was heartbroken to learn about her battle with liver fibrosis, a stark reminder of how fragile life can be, especially for someone who had always been a pillar of strength and support in my own journey. She passed away just a month later, forever leaving an impact on the lives of countless students as a testament to her dedication and passion for teaching. Although she is no longer physically present, her influence and memory continue to be an integral part of my life, shaping my motivations and aspirations. Her profound legacy continues to inspire me in my current research on developing liver fibrosis therapeutics, driving me to make a difference for patients who face similar challenges. A Sanskrit Shloka (Verse) says, “॥गुरोः परतरं नास्ति तस्मै श्री गुरवे नमः॥” meaning “There is nothing greater than the Guru. To that Guru, I bow.” Loads of gratitude and respect to her and to every teacher around the globe who shape future changemakers! — Gauri Kulkarni, PhD
One of my favorite teachers was my high school chemistry teacher, Maureen Daschel. She modeled high expectations and inspired me to fall in love with chemistry, despite being a lab hazard. As a person living with a physical disability, I felt she understood inclusive excellence. She mentored and sponsored me to apply for advanced coursework and a summer research opportunity, and to pursue honors biology the next year. In my senior year, after a devastating loss in a school competition, she sponsored me to find after-school work tutoring four kids in science while their mom finished their medical scientist training. This exposed me to a clinician scientist trajectory and, in hindsight, helped me to put one foot in front of the other to keep moving forward. I owe a lot of my success to the seeds she planted. — Mary Khetani, PhD
Mr. Brij Mohan Gupta was my high school chemistry teacher. He had an enigmatic approach to physical chemistry that would combine and extend the fundamentals of bond energies, stoichiometry, and reaction kinetics to principles of living life daily; borrowing concepts and complementing each other to overcome obstacles and buffer them. — Diviya Sinha, PhD
Mr. David Lewis was my mathematics teacher at Woodbrook Secondary School in Trinidad and Tobago. Ours was his afternoon Form 4 class. One day, mid-sentence in his trigonometry lesson, Mr. Lewis asked this shy, quiet, introvert, “Do you understand any of this Karen?” No, I replied. “Oh, all of you get out of here,” he exclaimed. As I stood up and picked up my books to leave, he remarked, “No, not you Karen.” He proceeded to work with me one-on-one, even taking me out to the flagpole to draw imaginary trajectories. Mr. Lewis worked with me all year staying after school. I made A’s in every math class I took since Mr. Lewis’ class. I became a Chemistry instructor (I loved math but could not imagine myself playing with numbers all day) and am pursuing a PhD in Chemistry/Chemistry Education. None of this would be possible without the intervention of Mr. Lewis. Thank you, Mr. Lewis. — C. Karen Fortune
Mr. David Lewis
My favorite teacher was my high school biology teacher, Judith Williams. I am from a small town in the middle of Nebraska where most people don’t go to college, let alone study science. Mrs. Williams required all of her students to complete a small science project in our sophomore biology class, and she most likely personally contributed her own personal funds to help us students complete these projects. With her guidance, my project sent me from the regional science fair, to the state fair, to the AAAS/AJAS national conference! Mrs. Williams was to first adult to ever take me on an airplane so I could attend this conference. She also helped me to continue developing my research, so I could return to AAAS/AJAS two more times and to win a scholarship to study science in college! Without Mrs. Williams, I would not have become the professor I am today! — Anna Dugas
Barbara Broadway was my AP Chemistry teacher in high school and led our school’s water quality club. She ignited a passion for science within in me that has continued to this day. Tromping out into our local creek to get water samples and then learning how to analyze them in the lab gave me an appreciation both for field work and for how science connects to every day life. Spending afternoons with Mrs. Broadway at that creek were some of the most fulfilling times in high school. She also showed me the value of hard work and never stopped mentoring me as I went on to pursue environmental engineering in college. She passed away a few years ago, and I reflect often on her influence my life’s path. — Lisa M.P. Munoz
Sonali Iyengar was my favorite teacher back in high school. She was eloquent, had an amazing vocabulary in her repertoire and expressed herself immaculately and confidently without trying too hard and without coming across as pompous. I found her communication skills inspiring and aspired to be a good communicator. Today I am a scientist and take extreme joy in communicating my science in effective and edible format to people at large. The seeds of effective communication were planted in my mind when I was a high school student and used to be engrossed in language lessons conducted by my teacher Sonali Iyengar. — Arijita Ghosh, PhD
Sonali Iyengar
I would not have known how to go to college without the guidance of my Upward Bound (TRIO) director, Joe Clair, who taught me HOW to go to college. My chemistry mentors, Dr. Patricia Conniff at Prince Georges Community College, Dr. Sandra Greer at University of Maryland, and Dr. Jerry Odom at the University of South Carolina, and Dr. Patty Wisian- Neilson, Southern Methodist played a tremendous role in my chemistry career path. Each one of my mentors did not doubt my ability to earn a Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry. Their support enabled this single mom to succeed. — Judith Iriarte-Gross, PhD
Dr. Beth Neal-Beliveau was a mentor and my professor for many years at IUPUI. She was the head of the behavioral and addictions neuroscience program. Aside from organizing study abroad activities to promote mental health in the Dominican Republic, she also headed her own research and inspired myself and many peers to pursue research. She approached each lesson passionately and was kind but never coddling. She is still teaching today, and I appreciate her willingness to keep in contact with past students and encourage their academic development. — Christina Sanchez
Dr. Beth Neal-Beliveau
My high school physics teacher, Mr. Bauer, was a big part of why I became a physics professor. He was helpful and flexible and let us use the physics room as our hang-out space. I was thrilled when I met up with him years later at a physics teacher conference and was able to tell him how he inspired me! — Laura McCullough, PhD
Ishola Helen Mojisola is my favorite teacher. Her style of teaching and mentoring is worth emulation and commendation. She has impacted my journey and career in multifaceted ways and since we do not get to celebrate teachers enough. I wanted to take a moment to say a thank you and acknowledge her years of dedication, commitment and service to teaching and raising future leaders and impacting several generations. — Blessing Ishola
My junior year of high school, Mr. Stanley had us read Shakespeare which moved me beyond words and opened my mind in a way that is hard to express. It had nothing to do with my becoming a scientist, but he showed me a world I’d never imagined. I wish I had thanked him before he passed. Then, my freshman year at a small college, Mr. Autry, my chemistry teacher, called the hall telephone one morning when I lay abed with a cold. “Get over here, today’s class is important. I’ll stall until you get here”, he said. Wow. Such faith in me! I could never let him down. I had no women professors in science. What a shame. — Mary Anne Holmes, PhD
Dr. Muhammad Wasim (Usman Institute Of Technology, Karachi Pakistan) and his remarkable educational journey exemplify the power of perseverance and the rewards of continuous learning. By witnessing his success, I realized the importance of pushing past obstacles and striving for excellence in my own educational endeavors. His mentorship, both through his achievements and personal guidance, continues to motivate me to strive for excellence and pursue my academic and career goals with passion. — Laiba Bilal
Dr. Muhammad Wasim
Mr. Tanner, my 9th grade biology teacher and Mr. Day, my 11th grade advanced biology teacher. They got me excited about studying biology, which I majored in at college. I later earned my MS and PhD in Zoology/Neuroscience and have had a wonderful career in academia! — Beth Wee, PhD
My favorite professor is Dr. Michael Kilgard. He introduced me to the poem “If” by Rudyard Kipling in order for me to develop stoicism and mental fortitude needed to be a pioneering scientist and leader. He shaped my career by giving me the opportunity to study neuromodulation and clinical neuroengineering for years, with each passing year solidifying my passion for the field. Finally, he taught me how the meaning of being a scientist and the virtues/responsibility that being a scientist embodies – true confidence comes from being oneself, and true science comes from the pursuit of truth. And science is worthwhile when people are truly being helped. — Y-Nhy Duong
Maram Budair was and has always been my favourite teacher. She taught me in secondary high school in Palestine and she influenced a generation of female students to unstoppably pursue their passion, to be disciplined and professional in our studies and careers. The thing I liked the most about her teaching style is the excellent communication skills she has, which allowed her to touch the heart of each of us a different way suitable to each student. She was also super professional and dedicated to teaching even during her hardest times. She is a source of positive energy during the class, and she motivated me to stay connected to all updates in science, to keep reading and engaging with international societies, to keep the love of science alert inside me. She never did anything less than wholeheartedly, and that was her superpower. — Jumana Khalil, PhD
My high school science teach was named Mr Gorbach and he was the one that sparked the interest in science. My mom had also been diagnosed with breast cancer in my freshman year. I knew right then, I was going into the sciences to help find a cure. — Rebecca Keenan
In high school, we had a real chemist teaching chemistry and physics. It was a small school, and he probably would not have been eligible to stay because he did not have teaching credentials. However, he provided insights and enthusiasm that encouraged students, including me, to enjoy chemistry. I should mention that in that chemistry class, there were only 2 girls (one went to nursing school, and I went to college with a biochemistry major). In Physics class, I was the only one. — Allyn Howlett, PhD
Show your gratitude
Great teachers inspire their students, teach them to think critically, encourage them to persevere, and/or provide critical advice and guidance. Their words and actions can influence career choices and collectively shape the future economy. Years later, many of us still have fond memories of a teacher or professor who made a lasting impression. Take this opportunity to let them know!
Share your story below or post it on social media using #WomenInScience #BecauseTeachers #TeacherAppreciation and tag @AWISnational or @Association for Women in Science.
Let’s give our teachers some recognition and thanks for all they do!