Flores receives Presidential Award for excellence in teaching

FLORES: Making connections with students and peers

- CLARK TATE

DEER ISLE-Michele "Mickie" Flores, a K-6 science teacher at Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School, is a self-described geek. That's why she teaches. “When I was nearing the end of my college years, I thought, 'Who is it that gets to learn new things all the time?" said Flores. “And I identified teaching as that career.” She stands by her choice, and it's paying off. In early February, she received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. It is the nation's highest honor for teachers of kindergarten through grade 12 math and science.

"It is incredible, and I am so honored and thankful to win the award," said Flores. “I truly believe that I'm even more thankful to be teaching here...." She describes it as a phenomenal place to be a teacher. “I think the award reflects the support that I've gotten from my administrators, from my teaching colleagues, from my students and their families, and from the community at large."

The award brings with it national recognition and $10,000, no strings attached. Traditionally, winners travel to Washington, D.C., for ceremonies and professional development events. This year, celebrations will be held virtually. To Flores, all of that is well and good, but what she actually sounds excited about is connecting with the other award recipients.

“I've been working very hard to build a network ever since I came here because this is a pretty geographically isolated place,” she said. Now she will join a network that includes this year's 102 award winners, plus the 5,200 educators that have been recognized since 1983. “I feel like my network just exponentially grew, that I will have so many more resources, not just physical resources but thought and creative resources to bring back to this community," she said.

Opportunity knocks