Herricks teacher Maria Clark named 2021 Yale Educator Award recipient

The Island Now
(Photo Courtesy of Herricks Public Schools)

The Herricks Public Schools are proud to announce that Herricks High School science teacher Maria Clark has been recognized by the Yale Office of Undergraduate Admissions as a recipient of the 2021 Yale Educator Award.

A nine-year member of the Herricks High School faculty, Ms. Clark currently teaches AP Biology to juniors and seniors and Science Research to freshmen.

“Mrs. Maria Clark is a warm, accessible and caring educator who has tremendous content knowledge,” Herricks High School Principal Joan Keegan said. “She plans thoughtfully and strategically to ensure her students have opportunities to challenge themselves to think deeply and critically.”

The Yale Educator Recognition Program recognizes outstanding educators from around the world who support and inspire their students to perform at high levels and to achieve excellence. Of this year’s 305 nominees, who represent 38 US states and 17 countries, 50 teachers and 21 counselors were selected to receive the award. Matriculating students are invited to nominate high school educators, and a committee of Yale admissions officers reviews each nomination individually and designates recipients.

Yale is a top research university with a unique emphasis on undergraduate liberal arts education. All 6,200 undergraduate students enroll in Yale College, which offers more than 80 majors and hundreds of opportunities to conduct groundbreaking research. Undergraduates at Yale come from all 50 states and more than 80 foreign countries. More than 17% of Yale students will be the first in their families to complete a four-year degree, and 51% are US Citizens or Permanent Residents who identify as students of color. Yale offers admission to students without regard to their ability to pay and meets 100% of every student’s financial need with an award that does not include loans. The 1,789 members of the Yale Class of 2025 who began their first semester in August 2021 graduated from more than 1,200 different high schools, 63% of which are public schools.

The Yale Admissions Office attributes the exceptional quality of the Yale student body to educators like these recipients of the 2021 Yale Educator Award, who shape their students long before they attend Yale. The Admissions Office is proud to thank these and all educators for their ongoing efforts in motivating and supporting their students.

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