Title: Teacher

Company: Riverside Christian School

Location: Yakima, Wash.

Ginger McIlvanie has taught in public schools for 38 years and in private school for three years. Ms. McIlvanie spent most of her career in science education. She recently celebrated her 43rd year of teaching. She attributes her success to the great empathy she has for her students, which allows her to put herself in their shoes. Initially, Ms. McIlvanie became involved in her profession after working as a nurse for several years. She decided to pursue a career through which she could reach more people on a daily basis.

Ms. McIlvanie’s greatest career achievement is watching children learn, assessing their areas of needed improvement and applying lessons to their daily lives. The highlights of her career include the successes of the many state educational conferences that she has chaired. Ms. McIlvanie’s abilities to teach by example, serve as a role model, and set a high standard for both students and teachers separate her from her peers.

Ms. McIlvanie received a Master and Bachelor of  Education from Whitworth College. She is a member of the Washington Science Teachers Association and National Science Teachers Association.