2015 - Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Winner - Jeffery Wehr

Jeff is THE science at Odessa High School – where he focuses not on teaching science, but on creating scientists. Jeff believes that students should live their education and be able to connect what they are learning to the world around them. This philosophy has paid off at Odessa High where 87% of high school students met standard in 2009 and many students go on to successful study in science at college.



The best example of Jeff’s teaching philosophy in action is the Advanced Scientific Research (or ASR) course he created at Odessa. Students enrolled in ASR work on a year-long independent study in any scientific discipline where they formulate and test a hypothesis and analyze the outcomes. Jeff’s ASR students write journal articles, create presentations for the community and compete at the state and national level.



In addition to teaching at the high school, Jeff works with elementary teachers online and in person to strengthen their science skills and make them more comfortable using inquiry-based science and the scientific method. The result is that more students are now meeting standard at the elementary and junior high level.



Jeff recognizes the value of collaboration across districts as well. He hosts a Bi-County Science Challenge where student teams from across the area compete in a “Junkyard Wars” style science collaboration. This event also serves as an excellent networking opportunity for science teachers scattered across the rural area.



Most impressive is the testimony of his student, Jessica: “[Mr. Wehr’s] energy and enthusiasm for teaching help him connect with his students making learning fun. He pairs hands-on labs with class discussions, which incorporates every student in the class giving us all the ability to express our thoughts and ideas and work together for one common goal . . . He has given unlimited help, support, time, and dedication to all of his classes which, in turn, has created very successful scientists and individuals.”