Marni Landry
Honors Biology Teacher
Paradise Valley High, Phoenix, AZ

Mrs. Landry was named the Outstanding Teacher on Campus in 2004, 2010, and 2012. In 2012, she was the Arizona High School Science Teacher of the Year. A curriculum writer, she also serves as the advisor for HOSA, Academic Decathlon, and the National Honor Society. Mrs. Landry holds several district and campus positions, such as New Teacher Liaison, Technology Trainer and Textbook Selection Committee Member. She received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Arizona State University and a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Phoenix.

Mrs. Landry allows students to be “in charge of their learning and control much of what will happen in class.” In order to accommodate various learning styles, Mrs. Landry “encourages input from students on how they will be assessed, provides training on how to self-assess, and often has them assess one another.” She explains that students greatly benefit from thorough participation in the teaching and learning process. She has found that her students learn most from the trials experienced during scientific experiments, stating, “True scientific inquiry cannot be measured by a test score; science must be experienced, and to experience it is to root around in uncertainty.”

Assistant Principal Anita Stulc of Paradise Valley High School describes Mrs. Landry as “a visionary leader in her field.” Mrs. Landry’s nominating student writes, “She believes in us and wants to unlock the phenomenal potential that we all carry.”

Claes Nobel Educators of the Year
NSHSS is pleased to highlight our 2015-2016 Claes Nobel Educators of the Year, presented to ten exemplary educators who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to preparing students for success in college and in life. These ten educators are among NSHSS’s student-nominated Claes Nobel Educators of Distinction, a program that recognizes educators who model best practices in teaching, are a positive influence for students and peers, and demonstrate outstanding leadership in education and community engagement. Since the inception of the Educators of Distinction program in 2004, NSHSS has recognized more than 38,000 educators worldwide.