During a surprise event at Lithia Springs High School, Lithia Springs High School teacher Diana Moore received the news that she is the recipient of the 2018 Georgia Outstanding Biology Teacher Award.
The National Association of Biology Teachers has given this award annually since 1961 and identifies a teacher from each state who has made valuable contributions to the profession. Criteria for the award include teaching ability, experience, inventiveness, initiative, inherent teaching strengths, and cooperativeness in the school and community.
Moore has a driving passion and dynamic energy for encouraging students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). At Lithia Springs High School, Moore has led the school’s STEM Biomedical Program to State, National, and International certification and recognition. She and her students most recently teamed up with Emory University for a project assessing how water currents affect bacterial growth and industrial contaminants in the Chattahoochee River.
Superintendent Trent North says Moore is an exceptional teacher and a valued asset to the Douglas County School System. “Mrs. Moore is introducing cutting-edge work and technology to our STEM students. These opportunities would not be possible without the effort of Mrs. Moore.”
Moore received a B.S. degree in Biology from the University of Sacred Heart in San Juan, Puerto Rico and her MS degree in Science Education from Florida International University in Miami, Florida. Moore began teaching at Lithia Springs High School in 2014. She has won several awards including the “Superintendent’s Spotlight Award” and has been honored by students as the “Most Influential Educator of the Year” in 2018. She has been selected five times to the “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.” Diana has also been a presenter at the state STEM conference.
The National Association of Biology Teachers and the state of Georgia are incredibly proud of Mrs. Diana Moore, her accomplishments, and the news of her award. “Such accomplishments and awards should make not only Diana’s school district but the entire state proud. She is a priceless member of the education community,” said GA OBTA Director, Carol Rivera.
A special presentation will be given by the National Association of Biology Teachers at its National Conference this fall in California. In addition to the certificates awarded, Diana will receive a commemorative pin, a gift certificate from Carolina Biological Supply Company, and a year’s complimentary membership in NABT.