PSHS Science Department Chair One of Five National Siemens Founder's Award Winners

December 17, 2009

Karen Shepherd is no stranger to awards. With the speed of light, they seek her out, much in the same way that she seeks out and cultivates some of America's best and brightest high school student science talent.

The 2006 Texas Teacher of the Year has now added to her resume the "2009 Siemens Founder's Award." She is among a select group of five U.S. educators who were presented with the award during a formal ceremony hosted by Siemens this month in New York.

Karen Shepherd was presented the Siemens Founder's Award this month by (l-r) Albert Hoser, founder and former chairman; Thomas McCausland, chairman of the Board and CEO of the Siemens Foundation and award namesake; and James Whaley, president of the Siemens Foundation.

The Siemen's Founders were saluted for their contributions and support of the Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology, a prestigious event for which Karen's students have been selected since its inception in 2000.

Since the early 1990's, Karen's students have advanced through regional, state and international science and engineering fairs with excellent results. "Shep," as her students call her, says, "Twenty-six years as an educator has taught me that there is no limit to what you can learn about students and teaching...Students who are encouraged by a teacher with a passion for learning and for the students she teaches, dream bigger dreams and set higher goals."

Following is an interview published in our "District Digest" employee newsletter.

Digest: Briefly describe your teaching philosophy and why you think it supports students' success.

Karen: Effective teachers know that truly successful classrooms occur only when they teach not just from the mind, but also from the heart. Those teachers become counselors, mentors, and even gurus to their students. If students are to care about learning, they must know in their hearts that you care for them. Given mutual respect and concern, students believe that they can master anything.

Digest: How do you cultivate exceptional science talent in Plano ISD?

Karen: As sponsor of the district's LASER (Learning About Science, Engingeering and Research) program since its inception 20 years ago, I have had the honor of mentoring and nurturing hundreds of young scientists. Traveling to competitions, I have witnessed those students at regional, state, and international levels who have been blessed with teachers who share a common goal for students -- excellence. Teachers who return with students year after year ignite a true passion for science research by bringing uncontainable enthusiasm and optimism to the profession.

Digest: Why is conducting research important to high school students?

Karen: Conducting research allows students to experience science. In most public high schools, science curriculum is based on standards in order to meet state test requirements. Unfortunately, the research component of most curricula has been lost in the race to meet these standards. I know that students gain the ability to think for themselves and to solve problems from the research experience. They also attain a level of confidence not seen in the student who is book smart. We need more students to stay in STEM (Science, Technology, and Engineering) areas after college graduation. I believe that the best way to do this is to offer them the opportunity to perform research in high school and in college.

Digest: Describe your and your students' experience with the Siemens Competition.

Karen: Since the first student entered the Siemens competition in 2000, the experience has been nothing short of remarkable. The students who are recognized as part of this competition have a variety of interests andbackgrounds but share the commonality of loving science. Whether the student was recognized as a National Semifinalist, a Regional Semifinalist, or a Finalist at the National Competition, the results have been the same: areward and a belief that they are true scientists and that a career in the STEM arena is possible. The confidence and experience that brings to my classroom and their lives is amazing.

Digest: What does this award mean to you?

Karen: This award fulfills my dream of being able to work in a research laboratory. As a teacher, who was a dance major in college, I was never offered this opportunity. In talking with my students about research, I have gathered many ideas, but true experience in a lab has never been mine. Now, I will be able to talk first hand about the experience. I will learn new ways to encourage my students. I am always so proud of the students who elect to spend their summers in a lab, and I see growth and development in all of them. This offers me a chance to grow as well.

More About Karen

As a Siemens Founder, Karen is awarded the opportunity to participate in a research immersion program summer 2010 at Oak Ridge National Laboratories. The "Siemens Teachers as Researchers" is a two-week residential professional development program in which teachers will engage in mentored research at the Oak Ridge lab. Its primary research areas are neutron science, advanced materials, biological systems, energy, national security, nanotechnology, chemical sciences, nuclear physcs and high performance computing.

Karen's Resume

Degrees Earned

• 1983, Bachelor of Science Education, North Texas State
• 1991, Masters of Education, University of North Texas

• 2004 to present, Plano Senior High School, Science Department Chair, LASER (Learning About Science and Engineering Research) Sponsor, AP Biology, Research and Design (11th, 12th)
• 1996 to present, Plano Senior High School, LASER Sponsor, AP biology, Research and Design, LASER sponsor, (11th , 12th)
• 1984 to 1996, Vines High School, Science Department Head, Team Leader, Biology and Honors Biology I (9th), Research and Design, LASER sponsor

Professional Organizations

• 2006 to present, National State Teachers of the Year
• 2002 to present, Delta Kappa Gamma, Various offices held
• 2000 to present, National Association of Biology Teachers

• 2009, National Finalist: Christopher Columbus Fellowship Life

• 2009, State Finalist for the Texas Medical Association Science Teaching Award
• 2007, I CAN Learn, NEA Foundation Awards for Teaching Excellence
• 2006, Texas State Teacher of the Year
• 2005, Plano ISD Secondary Teacher of the Year
• 2005, Plano Senior High School Teacher of the Year
• 2001 & 2003, Honor Teacher at Plano Senior High School
• 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, MIT, Kansas University, Texas Academy for Math and Science honors for making a difference in a student's life
• 1996 to 2001, 2003 to 2009, Plano Senior High Teacher of the Week
• 1999, Plano SHS Presidential Award for "being a teacher that made a difference"
• 1999 - One of the top five teachers for the Reader's Choice Award for Collin County Secondary Teachers
• 1998, First Place, Reader's Choice award of Collin County for Secondary Teachers
• 1998, 2000, 2007, Texas Junior Science, Engineering and Humanities Symposium: Outstanding High School Science Teacher
• 1998-2008, US Air Force, US Army Awards for promoting student research
• 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005 & 2007, Dallas Regional Science Fair recognition for promoting student interest in research
• 1996, 1998, 2004, 2006, 2007 & 2008, Who's Who Among America's Teachers
• 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006 & 2008, Dallas Regional Science Fair Award for Outstanding Science Fair students
• 1994, 1995, Sigma Xi Award from the SMU chapter for inspiring students in scientific research
• 1994, Excellence in Secondary Teaching Award from Plano ISD
• 1994, Vines High School Teacher of the Year
• 1994, Edison Society Award for promoting research

• 2000 to 2008, Students selected for Intel's Science Talent Search
• 2000 to 2007, Students selected for Siemens National Science Competition
• 1992-1993 & 1995 to 2008, Students selected for competition at International Science and Engineering Fair, American Junior Academy of Sciences, and the National Science SymposiumCommunity Outreach
• 2003 to present, LASER BEAMS (Bringing Early Academic Mentoring in Science) program created to establish student-to-student mentoring between PSHS students and LEP students in several feeder schools.
• 2003 to present, Science Night at Shepard, Sigler, and Meadows Elementaries
• 2002 to present, Elementary Science Program at Daffron Elementary, after-school science club presentations

Committees and Presentations

• 2009 to present, Curriculum Writer: Anatomy and Physiology
• 2007 to present, Presenter for Plano ISD Team Leader Academy
• 2008, Represented Teachers with testimony to the Texas Senate Committee on Accountability
• 2007 to present, District Differentiation Team, Responsive Teaching Development
• 2007, Member, Plano ISD Technology Bond Committee
• 2006, Curriculum Writer for Plano ISD Team Leader Academy
• 2005, Steering committee for Plano ISD Team Leader Academy
• 2004 to present, Site Based Improvement Committee for Plano Senior High
• 2004 to present, Serve on Regional Directors Executive Council for the National Junior Science Symposium
• 2004, American Board Certification Panel for development of criteria for National Biology Exam
• 2001-2002, Blue Ribbon Boundary Committee
• 2001, 2002, State Science Fair Committee
• 2000-2001, Program committee aligning Plano ISD's K-12 science curriculum with national science standards
• 1999 to 2002, Selection Committee for the Mississippi State Science Teachers Awards
• 1998, Texas Association of Biology Teachers, Funding Committee
• 1998, Science Textbook Selection Committee
• 1996, Biotechnology workshop presentation for Plano ISD biology teachers
• 1995-1996, Texas State Science Fair Steering Committee
• 1994, 1998, Curriculum writer for Advanced Independent Research
• 1994-1995, Curriculum Advisory Committee
• 1994, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 & 2006, Regional Workshop presentation helping teachers learn how to get their students involved in scientific research, sponsored by Dallas Morning News and UT Southwestern Medical School
• 1992, Vines High School Tutorial Committee
• 1991, Honors Biology I Curriculum Committee
• 1988 to present, LASER (Learning About Science and Engineering Research) Sponsor
• 1985 to 1988, Science Club Sponsor