Posen Teacher Wins Science Teacher of the Year

The Michigan Science Teacher Association is awarding a Posen Schools staff member with Science Teacher of the Year.

Stephanie Dege has 20 years of teaching experience under her belt. “It’s exciting, it’s surprising, and it’s flattering as well,” she said. “I’ve been teaching for 20 years and I think I get a little better every year. I learn from the kids so I try to focus on what speaks to them.”

High School Principal Michelle Wesner was one of two people to nominate Dege. “She’s an amazing teacher,” Wesner said. “She has an amazing passion for science and she’s instilled that patience in her students.”

Dege tries to focus on place-based learning meaning focusing on one area and getting her students out in the field for a more hands on approach. “Basically, here we really focus on Lake Huron and the Great Lakes,” she said. “We do a lot of work at Thomspson’s Harbor State Park and we do a lot of work towards Alpena with the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.”

Science can be a pretty tough subject, but Dege tries to make it a fun and interesting experience. “She spends quite a bit of time making sure students understand the concepts in her class,” said Wesner. “Students will say her class is not easy, but they really enjoy learning with her.”

Dege has received a lot of support from the Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative Network.