Valerie Bayard de Volo earned the award as an eleventh-grade social studies teacher where she created a dynamic learning environment in her classroom at Wooster High School in Reno. She taught U.S. History, AP US History, and an International Baccalaureate (IB) History of the Americas courses where she used differentiated, data-driven strategies with clearly defined objectives to help reach every student, and incorporated reading, writing, research and presentation skills into relevant, student-centered lessons. Eighty percent of her IB students passed the Advanced Placement U.S. History class in 2006, and her students' pass rates on AP and IB tests continued to improve each year. She was advisor and coach of Wooster's Mock Trial Team, and has provided her students with real-world experiences by having them job-shadow members of the Reno City Council. She currently serves on the Nevada State Mock Trial Committee. Bayard de Volo was a participant in the $900,000 Teaching American History Grant cooperative program between Washoe County School District and the University of Reno. She has motivated and inspired many to enter the education profession, and has served as a mentor to several new and student teachers. Post award, she became the social studies department leader and then left the classroom to become the International Baccalaureate Diploma Coordinator where she built a strong program and IB community. She is currently the curriculum and testing Assistant Principal at Edward C. Reed High School in Sparks, Nevada.
1985 San Diego State University, B.A.
