Davenport teacher Laura McCreery honored with Presidential Award; student board members report wins and activities

The Davenport Community School District board recognized North High School teacher Laura McCreery on Feb. 24 after she received a Presidential Award of Excellence for science.

Principal Jay Chelt introduced McCreery and described her as an "outstanding teacher" who had been at North for many years. McCreery told the board she applied three times for the award, submitted a 45-minute videotaped lesson, a 15-page paper and two letters of recommendation, worked with a mentor and revised materials before becoming a state finalist and then a national recipient. "Really that's what I do it for — to try to be the best teacher I can be and constantly striving to be better to give my students the best experience we can have," McCreery said.

Superintendent Schneckle praised McCreery's "reflective process" and said the district is proud she is a product of Davenport schools. McCreery said the award may culminate in an honor ceremony in Washington, D.C., and a $10,000 cash prize; she noted those funds were currently frozen.

The board also heard brief reports from student board members representing Central, Mid City, West and other feeder schools. Highlights included multiple show choir wins for Central and Northside, track season start, a high number of auditions for Central's musical, a Mid City DE walkthrough and parent-teacher conference reports, West's attendance challenge and booster-store fundraising, and extracurricular club fundraisers and competitions at other schools.

Directors and board members congratulated McCreery and commended the range of student activities reported by student board members.