District’s education and outreach coordinator receives Presidential award

St. Johns River Water Management Education and Outreach Coordinator Ali Pressel was honored with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

On January 13, the White House announced the recipients of the prestigious Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Among the honorees is Ali Pressel, the education and outreach coordinator for the District.

These awards recognize K-12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) educators for their exceptional passion, dedication and impact in the classroom. As one of the highest honors for educators in the nation, they celebrate teachers who excel not only in teaching but also in inspiring a deep, lasting interest in STEM subjects among students. The selection process is highly competitive, with only one math and one science educator chosen from each state and U.S. territory. Pressel is one of 107 science and math educators to receive this recognition and will represent Florida as the science awardee.

“The Presidential Award is the high point of my educational career,” says Pressel. “I am grateful to my students and thankful for colleagues and mentors who have supported me throughout my professional journey. This award reaffirms the importance of building relationships with youth and celebrates what’s possible through impactful learning experiences. I am humbled to receive this award alongside exceptional educators who insist on the best educational opportunities for young scientists and changemakers of tomorrow.”

Pressel is a National Geographic Explorer dedicated to expanding community citizen science opportunities for youth in Florida and beyond. Passionate about place-based education, she leads initiatives that engage students in local environmental research while also providing them with real-world scientific experiences. Pressel earned recognition as the 2021 St. Johns County Teacher of the Year and is an active participant in the Florida TeachersLEAD Network. She is also a Grosvenor Teacher Fellow and a Global Learning Fellow.

Pressel guides Lake Minneola High School students through a hands-on watershed monitoring lesson during AP Environmental Day in Clermont.

Pressel joined the District in May 2024 after 19 years in science education. For 15 of those years, she taught 9th-12th grade Environmental Science and Advanced Placement Environmental Science at Creekside High School in St. Johns County. Prior to relocating to Florida, Pressel taught at Westminster High School and North Hampstead High School in Maryland. As the District’s Education and Outreach Coordinator, she collaborates with educators to develop materials and activities that foster a deeper understanding of water conservation and environmental stewardship. Her work connects students and the public to the District’s mission, helping cultivate a strong sense of environmental responsibility in future generations.

“We’re incredibly fortunate to have Ali as part of our team,” says the District’s Strategic Communications and Engagement Director Tiffany Cowie. “Her dedication to education and passion for inspiring future scientists truly sets her apart. This well-deserved recognition is a testament to her outstanding contributions, and we’re excited to see the continued impact she’ll make through her work at the District. She is an asset, not only to our organization but to the broader community she serves.”

You can read Pressel’s official award biography here or learn more about her work at the District here.

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