2009 Innovation in Education Award Finalist

Leslie Flores

Finalist: High Impact Teacher of the Year
Star View Elementary
Ocean View School District

“My goal is to become a coach for my students, and bolster confidence, creating an environment where students can connect, explore, converse, and feel safe in taking risks”  —Leslie Flores, teacher

Program Description

Creating an environment and delivering an “active curriculum that fosters critical and creative thinking while building conceptual knowledge and skills is this teacher’s calling.  Leslie Flores’ students engage in hands-on activities based on real life situations, allowing all students to access not only the content, but the process of learning.  A spirit of “risk” and collaboration builds a special atmosphere for experimentation to take place, empowering students to present their learning results and thinking processes to others.

Ms. Flores’ week long training at Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama gave her the necessary learning tools to support a space curriculum for her fourth grade science students.  As a result, these students build a water bottle rocket to learn about propulsion, track the Space Station’s journey across the earth in a geography lesson, participate in a simulated lunar landing using the SMART Board, and create a landing module around an egg.

Students in her class have a purpose for learning, know how to ask questions, where to find information and how to organize their thoughts in order to achieve a higher level of learning. She gives her students the tools necessary to succeed in science, technology and math, and lays the foundation for academic achievement.  The tangible results are seeing the students’ growth, and the proof in their test results and academic achievement.

What is the role of K-12 education in driving Orange County’s economic competitiveness?

Orange County has always been on the cutting edge of innovation with its various aerospace and high tech corporations.  As a teacher, I must integrate a passion and love for science, technology and math which can stimulate and prepare students for competitive careers.  My role is to take risks in my teaching because student engagement is an important aspect of learning.  Every strategy and technique that I offer my students makes a difference in their ability to be prepared for the future.  I am truly accountable as an educator to insure the competitive future of the next generation of Orange County citizens.