An energetic biology instructor, whose lesson for the day can be indicated by her earrings, and recent coordinator of gifted education, Andrea Redinger has been working with students at Greensburg Salem School District for over fourteen years. She was instrumental in founding the Pennsylvania Science Curriculum Council as a means for science instructors to collaborate and share effective methods of both science instruction and assessment. As Council President, she has helped to develop the organization which includes roughly 130 school districts in Pennsylvania with over 350 teachers, administrators, and local science community and business members, leading them in over 100 hours of professional development since 2010. Andrea possesses a passion for education and the desire to instill not only knowledge and experience into all those with whom she encounters, but also a passion and love for science that she possesses.
She was recently recognized as a finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the highest honor to be bestowed by the US Government for science teaching. In 2013, she was awarded the Recent Alumnus Achievement Award from St. Vincent College. The National Association of Biology Teachers’ has recognized her leadership skills and commitment to biology education within their organization, awarding her with both the Neil Campbell Teaching Fellowship Award and the Outstanding Biology Teacher Award for Pennsylvania in 2011, and on a more national level, naming her as the Outstanding New Biology Teacher for the United States in 2005. Andrea’s commitment to her community has led to Citations from both the Senate and House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.
She graduated from Duquesne University in 2002 as a Dean’s Teaching Fellow, receiving a Master of Science in Secondary Science Education. She graduated from Saint Vincent College in 2001 with highest honors, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Andrea knew early in her career it was her responsibility to share her knowledge with other teachers both new and old, a critical duty of a great teacher leader. She serves as both a cooperating teacher and an Adjunct Professor of Education for several local universities.
Andrea’s enthusiasm has been referred to as “infectious” (pun-intended) and can be found with her husband David and three kids, Everett, Patty, and Samuel at the ball field, the basketball court, skiing or watching the new Star Wars. Andrea loves animals and houses 15 different species in her classroom!
