Jim Schrankler
St. Anthony Park Elementary School science teacher Jim Schrankler received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science this summer in Washington, D.C. The award recognizes math and science teachers in grades kindergarten through 12th grade for outstanding teaching.
Schrankler also received a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation. Schrankler has been a science and engineering specialist at St. Anthony Park for more than 15 years. He has been in education for 29 years and has taught postsecondary science classes over the last 12 years. He also teaches science methods courses to Dual Language Immersion teachers at the University of Minnesota. Over the last five years, Schrankler has worked as a research fellow on an $8 million National Science Foundation engineering grant. The research is a partnership between the U of M and Purdue University. In addition to curriculum writing and implementation, Schrankler also coaches other teachers in using the engineering design process.
Schrankler is known to engage his students through an opening gambit to start each class. Students become hooked and energized as they work through his presentation of engineering design challenges. His unique instructional techniques inspire his students to think deeply about the science of design.
Schrankler says his Presidential Award “recognizes the contributions of other educators in my life and my students. I have been fortunate to work alongside excellent educators my entire career, and that has fueled my passion for continuously striving to become a better educator. My students have inspired me through their sense of curiosity and enthusiasm. I feel that I am not only receiving this award as an individual, but that it also recognizes the work of my peers and students.”
