Jennifer D’Auria, a 7th and 8th grade science teacher at Bailey Middle School, was recently awarded the Ralph and Ruth Yulo New Teacher Award by the Connecticut Science Teacher Association.
“Honestly, when I found out that I had won I was elated,” said Mrs. D’Auria. “This is a huge honor for a newer teacher like myself. It was completely unexpected for me to have won this award. I don’t teach for the awards and the accolades; I teach because of and for my students, but to simply be honored for that is such an amazing achievement so early on in my career.”
The award recognizes new teachers who have shown promise in science education. It has been presented every 2 years since 2020, and Mrs. D’Auria has become the first recipient from West Haven. The criterion for the award is the following:
Membership in CSTA is not a requirement
In the first 3 years of the teaching profession and currently teaching science in a K-12 classroom
Recognized for remarkable achievement, accomplishment, and promise as a science educator
Recipients will receive membership in CSTA
If the awardee presents at the next conference, registration will be waived
The awardee will be invited to the Awards Celebration to be recognized
Mrs. D’Auria was nominated for the award by Bonnie Maur, her mentor since college and STEM Director at Sacred Heart University.