Fourth-grade teacher Jenny Emerson was honored with the Raymond C. Loehr Innovative Science Teaching Award at the Ithaca City School District (ICSD) Convocation for all staff members on September 3. Managed by the Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI), the award was presented by Loehr’s son Stephen Yale-Loehr and Ann Caren, IPEI board member and Awards Committee Chair.  Emerson, who teaches at Fall Creek Elementary School, was nominated for the award by Fall Creek Principal Mike Simons.

“She regularly collaborates with her grade-level teaching partners to coordinate instruction so that all students learn high-quality science that not only teaches important content but also incorporates experiential learning and meaningful activities,” he said. “Although she has been teaching for only four years, she has made a large impact on the education of our students, particularly in science.”

Emerson and her fourth-grade colleagues received an IPEI grant for the 'Kids at the Creek' project, based on the Cayuga Lake Floating Classroom’s 'Trout in the Classroom,' to create an activity-based science experience for their students. Working beside teachers, parents, and community partners, students conducted field studies of the local creek, observing wildlife and habitats and tracking seasonal data. In addition, Emerson collaborated with music and art teachers to integrate poetry, art, and music into the trout project.

Emerson continually strives to have her students think deeply and comprehensively about the subject of science, said Simons. “She is a budding leader in science education in the Ithaca City School District.”

Loehr’s family initiated the teaching award at the time of his 70th birthday in honor of his career as a science educator. It has been presented to nine different teachers from Ithaca’s elementary and secondary schools. A second award in his honor is presented each June to a student who excels in environmental science.

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