WOODLAND (AP) — A Woodland High School science teacher has earned a national honor.
The Columbian newspaper reported Jennifer Cullison was one of 10 teachers chosen as a Claes Nobel Educator of the Year.
Woodland Principal John Shoup says Cullison is a lifelong learner who models her passion for learning with her students every day.
She has taught in Woodland for 12 years, and in that time started the honors science and health sciences programs, got the school involved in the national Health Occupations Students of America and started a bilingual biology class.
The Puyallup native says she was hired by Woodland after college and was invited to start whichever programs she wanted.
Her newest initiative is the bilingual biology class, which she teaches one period a day. Cullison, who was in Peru this past summer learning Spanish, says teaching in a second language is a new experience for her.
Cullison keeps track of many of her students, some of whom have gone into science careers or are entering medical school.
She also has been honored by her alma mater, Washington State University, and has been a finalist for three years running for the national Shell Science Teaching Award.
