SILER CITY — Jordan-Matthews faculty members Jessica Sandel and Wendi Pillars have been named Voya Unsung Heroes by Voya Financial. The award, established to demonstrate Voya Financial’s commitment to the education community, includes a $2,000 grant.
Sandel, Science department chairman, and Pillars, English as Second Language department chairman, will be co-teaching a section of biology this spring that focuses on outdoor biology education. The team’s innovative teaching idea is “Our Unsung Outdoor Heroes.”
“We believe bringing students outside will help them connect with the natural world, and therefore find meaning in the concepts we study in biology,” said Sandel. “It’s important that students understand science is something you do, not just something you study.”
The competitive award is one of only 50 presented nationwide. Each project is judged on its innovative method, creativity, and ability to positively influence students.