Chapel Hill-Carrboro Public School Foundation

“Margaret Kepner inspired countless students and deserved the great esteem with which she was held in our community. It is an honor to be mentioned in the same breath as her, let alone be the first recipient of an award given in her honor and inspired by her career. I find this truly humbling. Science education has been my passion throughout my entire career. I love conveying scientific ideas to my students, and supporting them as they grapple with difficult concepts. Creating a classroom community where students feel safe and empowered to try new things, and to listen to them discuss their understandings is a true joy. Teaching is not a solitary endeavor, it requires supportive colleagues, understanding administrators, and amazing students. I have been fortunate to have all of these things in my 23-year career with Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. I am especially grateful to my friends and colleagues at Carrboro High School who always keep the needs of students central to our decision-making, and who also aren’t afraid to test out new ideas in their classrooms. I would also like to thank my husband and our two daughters. They have always been the biggest supporters of my personal and professional growth. I look forward to many more years of teaching curious, scientific minds at Carrboro High School. “