PHS teacher receives state honor

PRINCETON — Princeton High School science teacher Michael Fredericks has been named the Outstanding New Science Teacher of the Year by the Illinois Science Teachers Association.

ISTA representative Amy Sandgren attended the Oct. 28 meeting of the Princeton High School Board to present a certificate and a $400 check to Fredericks for his achievement.

Sandgren called the New Science Teacher of the Year award a very prestigious award. For Fredericks to have accomplished as much as he has at this early stage of his career shows his skills, talent and commitment to science education and to his students, Sandgren said. Fredericks has been at PHS for two years.

Fredericks will be honored formally Nov. 13 at the ISTA state conference in Peoria, expected to be attended by about 1,000 teachers.

Fredericks was nominated for the honor by PHS science teacher Pam Byrne, who also attended the Oct. 28 school board meeting. Byrne told the board Fredericks stood out among the other candidates for the PHS position.

Since coming to PHS, Fredericks has shown his exemplary preparation and planning for each class, his consistent evaluation of his own work, and an extreme work ethic, Byrne said. Fredericks is also a positive male role model for the school, she said.

Principal Barb Schmidt also commended Fredericks for his positive impact at the school. She has sent other teachers into his classroom to observe his outstanding teaching techniques and strategies and his interaction with the students. Fredericks has a great way of engaging all the students in his class, Schmidt said.

Board member John Young expressed his congratulations to Fredericks, saying it’s a great honor for Fredericks and for the school and community.

Fredericks is a graduate of Eureka College, with a degree in biology and secondary education.

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