2012 Elementary Science Awardee Alma Suney Park

Alma Suney Park

Elementary Science Presidential Award Recipient

Alma Suney Park has been an educator for more than 14 years and has taught sixth grade at Eastside College Preparatory School, where she worked since 2005.  Previously, she taught fifth grade at Sunny Hill Elementary School in Carpentersville, IL, and sixth grade mathematics and science for the San Diego Unified School District.

Although she teaches all subjects, Suney particularly enjoys teaching Earth science through driving questions that are relevant to students’ lives and to current environmental issues. She never tires of witnessing the awe and wonder that the Earth’s systems invoke in her students.

She focuses her teaching strategies around problem solving, conceptual understanding, and addressing real-world problems. She has worked with the Teaching Channel to create demonstration lessons for the Common Core State Standards. She has piloted a youth philanthropy project (Project Give) focused on environmental science and climate change. Suney hopes that by discovering the grandeur and complexity of their planet her students will develop a lasting commitment to environmental stewardship and a continuing inquisitiveness about the world around them.

Suney has worked with the Teaching Channel to create science and mathematics videos aligned with the Common Core. She is also a Teacher in Residence at Khan Academy, helping other educators implement this innovative educational Web site in their classrooms.

Suney has a B.A. in biological sciences from the University of Chicago and an M.A. in education from the University of Michigan. She holds a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and a supplemental credential in mathematics.