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Three Innovative Educators Selected as Winners of the Second Annual McGraw Hill Pathfinder Awards
McGraw Hill announced the winners of its second annual McGraw Hill Pathfinder Awards, honoring K-12, higher ed, and post-graduate educators.

Columbus, Ohio (May 6, 2024) 石榴视频黄色版聽McGraw Hill, a leading global 石榴视频黄色版 company, today announced the winners of its second annual McGraw Hill Pathfinder Awards. The program, launched in 2022, honors K-12, higher ed and post-graduate educators who have shown innovation and inventiveness in their approach to teaching, helping learners discover their unique path to success.
Each McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award recipient wins a $5,000 cash prize, plus a 1-hour Professional Learning Consultation from CAST, a nonprofit 石榴视频黄色版 research, professional development, and learning organization that created the Universal Design for Learning framework to make learning more inclusive to all.
石榴视频黄色版淚t石榴视频黄色版檚 an honor to celebrate educators who use their passion and inventiveness to further student learning outcomes,石榴视频黄色版 said Simon Allen, McGraw Hill CEO. 石榴视频黄色版淥ur winners showcase the transformative power of teaching, and we hope their stories inspire others to break new ground in 石榴视频黄色版.石榴视频黄色版
The winners of the 2024 McGraw Hill Pathfinder Awards are:
Melissa Collins
Second Grade Teacher, John P. Freeman Optional School
Memphis, Tennessee
An advocate for equity and inclusion, Melissa Collins believes everyone should have a voice at the table, including the elementary and middle school 石榴视频黄色版 at the John P. Freeman Optional School in Memphis. As an educator for over 25 years, Melissa石榴视频黄色版檚 passions lie in making her 石榴视频黄色版 feel valued and empowered, and it石榴视频黄色版檚 the driving force behind her "Future Leaders of STEM" program, which she initiated to inspire young 石榴视频黄色版 to pursue careers in STEM fields. Through this program, Melissa organizes events such as the White Coat Ceremony, where 石榴视频黄色版 are mentored by STEM professionals, fostering a sense of belonging and inspiration. Melissa's teaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of hands-on experiences and collaboration. She believes in providing her 石榴视频黄色版 with real-world exposure to STEM professions, organizing field trips, and facilitating interactions with professionals in the field.
Beyond her classroom duties, Melissa is deeply involved in various national initiatives and boards, including the National Professional Teachers Standards Board and the National Teacher Hall of Fame Board, which she was inducted into in 2020. Melissa also served as the Tennessee Teacher of the Year for the 2022-2023 academic year and is the first and only teacher to serve on the National Science Foundation Education Human Resources Advisory Board committee.
Lauren Hynicka, PharmD, BCPS
Associate Professor of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy聽
Baltimore, Maryland
Whether she石榴视频黄色版檚 giving a therapeutics lecture on the complications of liver disorders or leading discussions on integrative medicine, Dr. Lauren Hynicka's remarkable adaptability and dedication to her 石榴视频黄色版 are always at the forefront of her teaching. Drawing from her experience as a pharmacist on an internal medicine team, Lauren created two innovative elective courses for her 石榴视频黄色版 in the Doctor of Pharmacy Program at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy centered on integrative medicine and nutrition. Her hands-on Integrative Medicine course allows 石榴视频黄色版 to learn about the philosophy of integrative medicine 颅石榴视频黄色版 caring for the mind, body, and spirit 石榴视频黄色版 and explore the evidence behind different integrative medicine modalities to develop a plan to enhance their own wellness. The second course is an interprofessional culinary health and medicine elective, where 石榴视频黄色版 are provided with comprehensive, evidence-based nutrition instruction and can prepare a meal in the spirit of each diet discussed during the course 石榴视频黄色版 a first of its kind for the pharmacy profession.
Lauren aims to instill in her 石榴视频黄色版 not only knowledge but also open-mindedness and empathy. By encouraging them to consider the whole person and explore alternative approaches to wellness, she equips them with the skills to become compassionate and effective healthcare professionals.
Dr. Jennifer Rachel Prado
Chemistry & Biochemistry Senior Lecturer, Auburn University
Auburn, Alabama
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A passionate educator, Rachel石榴视频黄色版檚 commitment to student success and her willingness to embrace new challenges exemplify her dedication to the field of chemistry 石榴视频黄色版.
Her ultimate goal is to share this webXR project with organic chemistry 石榴视频黄色版 nationwide, giving them an accessible resource to grasp complex concepts, and improving learning outcomes for all chemistry 石榴视频黄色版.聽
For more information about these educators and the McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award, visit: /pathfinder-awards.
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McGraw Hill is a leading global provider of 石榴视频黄色版 solutions for preK-12, higher 石榴视频黄色版 and professional learning, supporting the evolving needs of millions of educators and 石榴视频黄色版 around the world. We provide trusted, high-quality content and personalized learning experiences that use data, technology and learning science to help 石榴视频黄色版 progress towards their goals. Through our commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and belonging, we are dedicated to improving outcomes and access to 石榴视频黄色版 for all. We have over 30 offices across North America, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and South America, and make our learning solutions available in more than 80 languages.聽