Huntsville High teacher, Alabama A&M Alum wins Presidential award, may visit White House

Chanda Davis, a science teacher at Huntsville High School, has been recognized as one of 97 Presidential Awardees for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Awardees have been invited to Washington for the recognition program, which is part of a three-day itinerary that includes a “possible” White House tour and “possible” photo opportunity with President Barack Obama.

Davis has been teaching for 13 years and has taught biology, anatomy and physiology at Huntsville for the past two years. In April 2009, Davis was named as one of two teachers of the year in Huntsville City Schools while teaching at Hampton Cove Middle School.

Davis has a bachelor’s degree from Alabama A&M University as well as a master’s of education.

According to the announcement, Davis’ students have won many awards at district and state science fairs. While she was Biology Club Sponsor, her group won third place and the People’s Choice award in a canned-food design contest. She has hosted Science Night, worked with a local college to install a research weather station, and organized a blood and bone marrow drive for a student diagnosed with Fanconi anemia.

Chanda has participated in professional development related to common assessment, biotechnology, inquiry-based learning, and nanotechnology. She is a member of the Science Teachers Association and has presented at regional and national conferences.
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