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	Last updated 09.07.05

The NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence

2005 Finalist and Recipient of The Horace Mann–
NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence

Stephanie Winkler
Kentucky Education Association (KEA)

Stephanie Winkler is a fourth-grade science and language arts teacher at White Hall Elementary in Richmond, Kentucky.

Ms. Winkler makes science a fun, interactive learning experience in her classroom. Using a hands-on approach, she incorporates many interrelated subjects into her lessons and uses engaging activities to reinforce scientific concepts. Ms. Winkler explains, “Whether it is through a song, poem, website, or the use of a puppet, I try to use an engaging approach to science that is meaningful and fun. Part of my job is to spark an interest in a subject that my students may have never realized before.” She tries to connect her lessons and science to everyday life so her students can better understand why science is important and relevant to them. Ms. Winkler judges their understanding and knowledge of the topic by their ability to write about how science affects their lives, whether through journal entries, editorials or feature articles, or even fiction.

Ms. Winkler’s support of her students and their needs is unsurpassed. She says, “There is a special place in my heart for children who struggle to learn.” In her classroom, Ms. Winkler stresses the importance of respect and tolerance, stating, “My goal as a teacher is to embrace differences among students and build upon them.” For example, through an association acquaintance she launched a pen pal program with another school in Philadelphia to encourage her students to learn about different cultures and different areas of the country. Thanks to Ms. Winkler’s support and teaching excellence, her fourth-grade students continually achieve high scores each year on the state’s assessment in science.

A proponent of professional development, Ms. Winkler is just as concerned that her colleagues are supported and encouraged to grow. She supervises student teachers and helps those who are new to the profession. She attended the National Education Association’s (NEA) Women’s Leadership Conference in California with two colleagues, after which they developed a KEA professional development program to train hundreds of first-year teachers. The program continues to be a success after many years. Recently, through two NEA Student Program grants, she and her colleagues hosted workshops for local college and university education majors within the region, which led to the creation of similar programs throughout the state.

Through community involvement, such as being a national consultant for Wildfire Education for the ITM Corporation in Florida and the Kentucky Department of Education School-to-Work program, Ms. Winkler has been able to share her knowledge and shape new curricula. Most recently, she earned a grant from the Bechtel-Parsons Company in Richmond for innovative science or technology projects in local schools. With help and support from parents, teachers, and the community, Ms. Winkler's students are building the “White Hall Weather, Observation Station,” which will include real weather information tools and an observation area that all grade levels can use to gather real-time weather data. She is also chair of the school’s Family Resources Center Advisory Council.

Ms. Winkler joined the NEA while she was still a student at Eastern Kentucky University. She served as State President of the KEA Student Program, and was appointed to the NEA Student Advisory Committee. In 2003, Ms. Winkler was elected as the youngest President of the Kentucky Education Association Central District, a position she has held for the past three years. She has served as a KEA and NEA delegate to state and national representative assemblies and conferences and serves on KEA’s Great Public Schools National Membership Strategy leadership committee. A strong advocate for her local and state education associations, Ms. Winkler often speaks to the media about public education issues.

Ms. Winkler has often been recognized for excellence, starting as a student chapter President at Eastern Kentucky University, where she received the NEA Student Program Outstanding Local in the Nation and the Hazel Little Scholarship Award for Principal Candidates for her Master’s coursework. In 2003, she was recognized by the Superintendent of Madison County Schools and the Board of Education for professional excellence. Ms. Winkler is currently a candidate for certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Ms. Winkler earned an M.A. in Educational Instructional Leadership with a K–12 Principal Certificate and B.A. in Elementary Education, French Emphasis at Eastern Kentucky University.

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