Champions of Change
As a mother of three, a wife, a science teacher, an administrator, a college professor, a tennis coach, a sponsor of Future Educators of America and Science National Honor Society and Girl Scout leader, Florida delegate Dr. Marilyn Zaragoza is an achiever, successfully balancing many different hats. Dr. Zaragoza was previously Assistant Principal of Curriculum at a local high school. Through her guidance and determination, the school was able to raise its failing inner city grades nearly two levels in one year. Dr. Zaragoza now teaches at a new school and shares with friends and colleagues the daily challenges encountered by educators in the 21st century. She has chosen to wear a new “hat” again this year as Science Coach. Over the past few years, she has developed a traveling curriculum called “Science Road Shows,” whereby high school honor students participate in “Science Night” at feeder elementary schools by teaching parents and children scientific experiments that can be done easily and inexpensively with common household items. The activities directly correlate with Florida’s required standardized science tests. It is her mission to motivate young children, teach them to love learning and to question the world around them. Dr. Zaragoza believes that learning to love science early may prompt them to continue to seek out higher learning opportunities as they develop.