THOMAS JOHNSON
MIDDLE SCHOOL
.STEM PROGRAM/ PLTW GATEWAY
THE STEM COORDINATOR
Mrs. Daisy Rayela is the STEM Coordinator of Thomas Johnson Middle School. She came from the town of Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte Philippines. She was a COCOFED scholar in college and graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture major in Agronomy. Mrs. Rayela holds a Master’s degree in Biology Education from Ateneo de Manila University (one of the top universities in the Philippines). She finished her Certificate of Teaching Biology and Master in Biology education as a scholar of Department of Education.
Mrs. Rayela has long years of experience teaching Agriculture, General Science, Biology and Research at Jose Panganiban National High School. She mentors students in various science competitions. She was an Adviser of JPNHS Science Club. Her Science club was active in community outreach programs such building a water system, riprap the waterways to prevent soil erosion, planting trees near the seashore to act as wind breaks and prevent soil erosion. She was the president of JPNHS Faculty Organization from 2003-2007. Her passion for teaching students and love for her community earned her numerous local and national awards. She was recognized as “Outstanding Teacher” of her school, her town and various organizations in her country.
Mrs. Rayela left the Philippines in 2007 and started teaching in the United States as a Science Teacher at Nicholas Orem Middle School. She was the Science Chair and Science Fair Coordinator of Nicholas Orem. She was also one of the ESL trainers for PGCPS Science teachers. She transferred to Thomas Johnson Middle School in 2012. She started the implementation of Gateway to Technology at Thomas Johnson Middle School after a rigorous training at the University of Maryland Baltimore Campus. She is a certified PLTW Gateway to Technology teacher in Design and Modeling, Automation and Robotics, Energy and Environment, Science of Technology, Magic of Electrons and Flight and Space.
As a Gateway to Technology teacher and STEM Coordinator she had organized and coordinated various STEM activities. Some of the activities are STEM Family Night, Sea perch, Science Bowl and Clean-up Green Up and NIFTY FIFTY activity. She organized STEM clubs and trained students for different STEM competitions like Final Frontiers, Science Fair and Solar System. Her students won various awards in STEM competitions. One of her great achievements is winning as one of the 5 State Finalists in the 2014 Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Competition.
Mrs. Rayela’s teaching philosophy is focus on teaching a child. She believes that every child has the potential to learn. These guides her in planning a child centered lessons and activities focused on inquiry, problem solving, hands-on, project and interdisciplinary STEM based activities.
As STEM Coordinator of Thomas Johnson Middle School Mrs. Rayela will utilize her experiences, knowledge, skills and trainings to bring a major change in the STEM implementation by adapting innovative teaching ideas and methodologies to assists in the planning, development, monitoring, and assessment of all STEM-related instructional programs, activities and Gateway to Technology program. She will organize activities that will raise STEM awareness among parents and inspire the students to be interested in STEM careers.
Daisy T. Rayela
Daisy Rayela
STEM Coordinator
PLTW Gateway Instructor
Thomas Johnson Middle School
"I I believe that every child has the potential to learn. As STEM Coordinator/ educator I will do my best to provide TJMS scholars learning opportunities to develop their potentials and talents to become lifelong learners.”
Educational Background:
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Master in Biology Education
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Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Major in Agronomy
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Certificate in Biology Education
Teaching Experience:
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PLTW Gateway Teacher (2012 – to present
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Science Teacher - at Nicholas Orem Middle School (2007-2012)
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Science and Research Teacher – Jose Panganiban National High School, Philippines (1989 – 2007)
Career Highlights
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Started the PLTW Gateway Program at Thomas Johnson Middle School
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2017 Teacher Excellence Award from International Technology and
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Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA)
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2017 Engineering & Technology Education Teacher Excellence Award from
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Technology & Engineering Educators Association of Maryland (TEEAM)
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2016 VOYA Financial Unsung Heroes Awardee (One of the top 100 Finalists)
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2015 Discover e Educator Award Winner
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2014 Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Competition (One of the top 5 state finalists)
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Teacher of the Month (October) (TJMS, 2012)
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Teacher of the Year – (TJMS, 2013)
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Nominee – Christa McaAuliffe Award (2014)
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Nominee – Love Award (2013)
Mentor/Coaching Activities
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PGCPS SeaPerch Program Coordinator
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Maryland Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) School Coordinator
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Destination Imagination (DI)
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First Lego League (FLL)
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PGCPS Final Frontiers Competition
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Solar System Competition
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Cyber Security Competition
After School Clubs
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Aerospace Engineering Club
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Robotics Club
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Green Team/Civil Engineering Club
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Introduce Girl To Engineering
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Science Bowl
TEEAM Engineering & Technology Education Teacher Excellence Award 2017
Discover e Educator Award
2015
This award shines a spotlight on educators who are inspiring tomorrow’s generation of innovators
VOYA Unsung Heroes awards program honors Americas classroom heroes and their innovative programs that take student learning to new heights
VOYA Unsung Heroes Award
2016
ITEEA Teacher Excellence Award
2017
The Teacher Excellence Award is one of the highest honors given to technology and engineering education classroom teachers and is presented in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the profession and their students. The Teacher Excellence Award provides public recognition at the local/state through international levels.