CCTI science teacher wins Da Vinci Award for Excellence

Anna Leigh Conway cares deeply about her science students.

For the past 10 years at the Carbon County Technical Institute, she has ignited their curiosity to learn what she is teaching.

For her efforts and accomplishments, Conway has been honored with the 2019 Da Vinci Award for Teaching Excellence.

Influences inside and outside

“My mother was my first teacher,” she said, “and I had such great teachers and coaches who inspired me at Jim Thorpe high school.”

Conway earned her bachelor’s degree in secondary education and earth and space science at East Stroudsburg University. She then received a master’s degree in educational technologies from Wilkes University and completed her educational leadership principal certification in 2017. At CCTI, she teaches biology, anatomy/physiology, ecology and field science.

She acquired her love for science by spending time in the outdoors and her love for nature helps her to nurture her students.

From fish to a dish

“We have a brook trout in an aquarium that has grown from an egg to a fingerling.”

Conway involves students who come from their trade classes to use their knowledge in the science classroom. “Our heating, ventilating and air-conditioning students set up the tank utilizing aquaponics to regulate the proper chemistry and temperature of the water to sustain our trout. We intend to release it in a local stream when it grows a bit more.”

Conway also taps into her students who take culinary classes. They have planted a school garden and these students pick out the plants that will thrive based upon the contents identified in the soil.

“We planted rhubarb in the garden and our culinary students will make strawberry, rhubarb pie, which we’re all looking forward to eat soon.”

Giving back

Speaking of gardens. Conway’s entire life has been deeply rooted in Carbon County. Growing up in Jim Thorpe and now a resident of Lehighton, she lived with her single mother and three siblings. At times they were so poor, they had no running water for long periods of time.

“We struggled, but my mom worked hard to keep us going,” said Conway. “Now, as a teacher, I feel I can relate to students who are dealing with emotional issues and family problems.”

At ESU, Conway was selected for the President’s Award for outstanding service. As a resident adviser, she directed the raising of funds to give to the United Way to help the needs of people in Monroe County. Now she intends to spearhead projects for the needs of Carbon County.

“I want to give back to my community.”

The desire to be better than best

To be considered for the Da Vinci Award, Conway was first nominated to be a candidate by Brent Borzak, her school principal. She then was invited to a formal interview by a panel of representatives from the Da Vinci Center.

“I was coaching middle school basketball at Northern Lehigh when I got the email that I had won. I was ecstatic. My mom was overjoyed and beyond proud of me.”

Conway was presented with a stained-glass trophy, a cash award and a lifetime membership to the Da Vinci Center at a black-tie gala ceremony.

Her classroom remains mobile. Students have also worked at a local farm and explored a bog habitat. Conway’s goal is to prepare them for the world of work with hands-on learning while making sure they meet rigorous program standards.

“They’re not all in love with science, but I do feel they gain an appreciation for outdoor activities like gardening, fishing and land stewardship.”

While not teaching her or tending to her 3-year-old daughter, she takes a class at Penn State to become a master watershed steward which will enable her to help improve the quality of local lakes and streams.

At CCTI, her innovative teaching that bridges a path between trades and academia is changing the perception of how students apply science.

“Teaching is a noble career. I am invested in these young lives, my school, and my community. I am deeply thankful to have been a champion of my community, and I want to continue to become a better teacher every year and keep up with the changing world we live in.”

Conway says she has an inner voice to motivate her students, especially the troubled ones, when they move from school into the adult world.

“Be the kind of person you needed when you were younger.”