Last week, educators, leaders, and supporters gathered beneath the iconic blue whale in the Hall of Ocean Life at the American Museum of Natural History to celebrate this year’s Sloan Awards for Excellence in Teaching Science and Mathematics. For many in attendance, this hall wasn’t just a stunning setting. Teachers and students shared that it was here, surrounded by the wonders of the ocean, that they first fell in love with science. Honoring educators who nurture that same spark of curiosity in their classrooms every day, in a space so closely tied to discovery and inspiration, made the evening especially meaningful.
Celebrating Excellence Across NYC Classrooms
Through the generous support of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the Fund for the City of New York’s Sloan STEM Teaching Awards recognize exceptional public high school teachers whose dedication and innovation elevate science and mathematics education across the five boroughs. This year’s honorees represent a remarkable range of disciplines; biology, chemistry, computer science, aviation, engineering, and mathematics. These outstanding educators are united by a shared commitment to equitable, engaging, and rigorous STEM education.
An Evening of Recognition and Reflection
Throughout the ceremony, honorees were recognized not only for their professional excellence, but for the communities they build within their classrooms. Speakers reflected on the outsized role teachers play in shaping futures and on the courage, creativity, and compassion required to do so through years marked by unprecedented challenges.
As each award recipient took the stage, the room filled with a collective appreciation. The applause echoed a simple truth: when we invest in teachers, we strengthen our communities and our future.
Learn more about this year’s award recipients: