Wasilla High School math teacher will receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

Wasilla High School math teacher Robin Lockwood will receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Only two teachers in each state are chosen to receive the award each year. She is the first teacher from Wasilla High School and one of few teachers in the Valley to be bestowed with this honor. Lockwood said she gives all of the credit to her teaching community and most importantly, her students.

“I am the awardee, but it is only because my students are so willing and so eager to learn and so curious and inquisitive,” Lockwood said.

Wasilla High School Principal Jason Marvel nominated Lockwood in the fall of 2022. Lockwood worked hard to fulfill the requirements of the award, including submitting a recorded 30-minute classroom video and writing a reflective narrative on her teaching experience. She provided other supplemental information to prove she had an in-depth knowledge of subject matter, exemplary teaching skills and leadership both inside and outside of the classroom. It took several months to compile all of the data required, Lockwood said.

While eating lunch with two other teachers, Lockwood received an email saying she had been chosen for the award. She explained how much it meant to her in that moment to be celebrated by peers that she looked up to and often came to for advice.

“It was really awesome,” Lockwood said. “It was fun to share in that moment with those two.”

Lockwood was also recognized during a staff meeting, where she received a standing ovation. Once the high school posted about her award on their Facebook page, emails and messages from students and their families began pouring in to congratulate her.

“It was just surreal,” Lockwood said. “Wasilla High School is such a special place… All of these educators that I turn to daily to ask questions and ponder and problem solve, it was such a surreal feeling because I really think every staff member that I work with is just as worthy of recognition as myself.”

The recognition includes a trip to Washington D.C., where Lockwood will receive the award and participate in educator workshops and educational development meetings. She plans to take not only the information she learns from those meetings back to the Valley to share with other educators, but her experiences as well. The award includes a $10,000 cash prize, which Lockwood explained she would invest in a high yield savings account similar to how her students practice when learning about exponential growth.

“The recognition means that I get the opportunity to bring professional development and take what I learn back to the teachers in the Mat-Su and be able to represent my state and moreover give our students the education they deserve,” Lockwood said.

Lockwood grew up in Fairbanks where she attended West Valley High School. She had taken a freshman biology class from science teacher Miss Cynthia Beale and later took an advancement placement biology class from her because of how much she enjoyed Beale as both a teacher and as a person. Lockwood explained how Beale would interact and relate with each of her students and how her teaching style was engaging and meaningful.

“She was such an inspiration to me and truly one of the reasons that I pursued a science degree in my undergrad,” Lockwood said. “She just made us truly believe we could do anything.”

Because of Beale’s impact on her life, Lockwood went on to receive a degree in marine science with a minor in chemistry. Lockwood then realized how much she enjoyed teaching others and pursued a career in education. After she was nominated, Lockwood said she did some research on who else in Alaska had received the award in the past.

“I went online and did some research on who had won this award in the past and a few lines down [Beale’s face] was staring at me, this face that made a huge impact on my life and the Fairbanks community,” Lockwood said.

Lockwood explained how much it meant to her to be honored in the same way Beale had. Lockwood said she has worked hard as an educator to achieve the same level of compassion and devotion with her students, as Beale had for her when she was in school. After receiving the nomination, Lockwood reached out to reconnect with Beale. Once Lockwood received confirmation that she was the award winner, Beale was one of the first people that she notified.

“I am probably one-one hundredth of who Miss Beale is as a teacher and as an educator and an advocate for STEM education,” Lockwood said. “But to be compared to her is just the most surreal experience. If I can be who she was for all of us, just for one kid throughout my career, I would be doing something great.”

Lockwood also mentioned how much of an impact that her parents and grandparents have had on her life. Her mom was an elementary school teacher and her dad was a geologist. Both inspired her to love learning and teaching others. She also said grandparents pushed her to become the best person she could be.

Wasilla High School Principal Jason Marvel said that Lockwood is worthy of this award and that her work has benefited many within the school and community.

“Robin Lockwood is an exceptional teacher and well deserving of this honor,” Marvel said. “She has high expectations for all of her students and really meets them where they are at in order to get them to where they need to be. Additionally, Robin has contributed so much to our school community through her volunteerism, leading school initiatives and working on district and state curriculum teams. Warrior Nation is very thankful for Robin and all that she does to make our school a positive place to be.”