Great Neck North High School science teacher Alison Widawsky has been honored by the Long Island Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education Leadership Association (LISTEMELA) as a 2024 STEM Star Teacher.
LISTEMELA presents this award to celebrate teachers who serve as “a beacon of light for our students” and demonstrate an exemplary commitment to providing equitable access to high-quality learning experiences.
Widawsky was nominated for this recognition by Jessica York, science department chair at North High.
“It is not possible for me to fully articulate what a dynamic, engaging, and singularly gifted teacher Alison Widawsky is,” explained York at the LISTELMELA awards ceremony on May 3. “To know this for yourself, you would need to see her, be in her presence, in her classroom, with her students. If you had the privilege of witnessing her teach, then you would know that she is the kind of teacher that you meet once in a lifetime.”
Widawsky teaches a wide range of science classes across nearly all grade levels at North High, including Grade 9 Science Research, Grade 11 Biology, Living Environment for English as a New Language students, and the science in Our World elective class.
She commands her students’ attention in every class through dynamic and captivating lessons delivered in nurturing yet academically rigorous learning environments.
“Every student that Alison teaches is not being taught science, but how to be a scientist,” added York.
In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Widawsky currently serves as the class advisor for the North High Class of 2026; a faculty advisor for the ninth-grade advisory program and the pre-med/dental club; and an integral organizer for the Celebrate Science Night, Senior Symposium, and Freshmen World Cup for Science Research events at North High.
LISTEMELA is a professional organization of leaders in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics education. The organization is affiliated with the National Science Education Leadership Association.