2000 NCSTA Award Winners

District #8 Outstanding Science Teacher

Patricia Lynch--Hendersonville Elementary School

Paddy Lynch teaches 3rd grade at Hendersonville Elem. Sch. Her new principal began his new job by talking to the faculty about the NC ABC's report and his desire to improve reading and math scores. "Paddy gently but firmly opened my eyes. She made it clear that she was a loyal staff member but she was not about to give up her devotion to teaching basic skills through the sciences." She integrates instruction through her "Grow More To Know More" gardens and her Kitchen Cart. The students grow vegetables and herbs which they share with the school cafeteria and use to make pesto while learning about other cultures, measuring and nutrition. Paddy has creatively integrated science into her classroom while others are reducing science instruction due to the end-of-grade tests. Thank you Paddy for standing up for science.