SANFORD, NC - The North Carolina Science Teachers Association (NCSTA) recently honored one of Southern Lee’s own, Jessica Maldonado, with the High School Outstanding Science Teacher Award for the Sandhills Region. Maldonado accepted the award last Thursday night at the NCSTA’s annual conference.
Maldonado has been teaching for 16 years, spending the last decade of her career in Lee County Schools including the last seven years at Southern Lee. The awards from NCSTA are presented to recognize excellence in science teaching and according to the award profile are given to teachers who exemplify excellent, creative, innovative teaching of science.
A highly versatile educator, Maldonado has excelled teaching almost every science subject at Southern Lee ranging from Physical Science, Earth and Environmental Science, Biology, Zoology and Marine Sciences. Additionally, she has thrived teaching exceptional children (EC)- inclusion courses, English Learner (EL) courses and honors level.
She explained, “If there’s one thing I really want my students to take away from my class, it’s the idea that learning is an exciting journey that lasts a lifetime, not just a checklist to complete.”
Lee County Schools’ Science Curriculum Specialist and AIG and Advanced Learning Coordinator for Secondary Grades Dillon Crockett agreed that is her aim and highlighted the critical role Maldonado plays in advancing science education across the school and the district. He said, “Jessica has emerged as a leader within her professional learning communities at both the school and district levels, always ensuring that students and their learning remain the focus of all conversations and planning.”
Those types of words are expected from those who know Maldonado and her passion for students. Maldonado is most proud when she sees students making progress in classes. She said, “One of the highlights has been collaborations with colleagues to create lessons that are not just engaging, but also perfectly suited to our students’ needs. It fills me with pride to see how these lessons have led to real improvements in student outcomes – like higher test scores, increased engagement, and a genuine love for learning.”
In addition to her work at Southern Lee, Maldonado has completed her Masters of Biology Education Degree and has worked part-time with Central Carolina Community College both as a High School Equivalency Instructor and as an adjunct Biology Instructor. Highlighting her commitment to students, amid a bus driver shortage, she has even volunteered to be a regular morning and afternoon bus driver, for which she was named the Southern Lee Bus Driver of the Year last year.
“I love sharing my knowledge of science because I find immense satisfaction in igniting my students’ curiosity and inspiring them to explore the world around them,” noted Maldonado. “Knowing that my efforts help students truly connect with the material and thrive academically is what really makes my career so rewarding.”
