Stephanie Killingsworth, TESI K-12 Education and Outreach Coordinator, was awarded with a 2026 Division Three Superior Accomplishment Award. This honor recognizes University of Florida staff who exceed expectations in supporting their office’s mission.

Stephanie was nominated by Megan Ennes, TESI Director and Associate Curator of Museum Education, with letters of support from Dr. Pavlo “Pasha” Antonenko, UF School of Teaching and Learning Professor, and Monika Moorman, a third grade gifted teacher in Broward County. Together, their nominations highlight Stephanie’s lasting impact on educators, students, and scientists across Florida.

At the center of Stephanie’s work is her role as coordinator of Scientist in Every Florida School (SEFS), a program designed to connect scientists with K-12 classrooms statewide.

“Stephanie has been instrumental in the development and maintenance of this program from inception in 2018 to today. She coordinates visits between teachers and scientists, plans and facilitates summer workshops, and has created our new livestream program that serves up to 1,000 people each time across the state of Florida,” stated Ennes.

Under Stephanie’s leadership, SEFS reached a major milestone, completing its 5,000th classroom visit as of March 2025. This achievement reflects not only the scale of the program, but also the depth of its impact in classrooms throughout the state.

For educators like Monika Moorman, that impact is deeply personal. “Her work with the SEFS program has profoundly enriched my classroom and supported my growth as an educator. Stephanie has provided truly individualized attention to my needs as an educator. She is consistently attuned to the specific needs of my students and the unique dynamics of my classroom, ensuring that every partnership and learning experience is meaningful and relevant,”  Moorman stated.

Stephanie’s influence also extends to the broader field of science education. Antonenko emphasized the significance of her work, stating, “Mrs. Killingsworth’s work exemplifies a synergistic blend of scientific expertise, teaching excellence, and community engagement. A nationally recognized educator and recipient of the 2023 Winifred Goldring Award for outstanding achievement in paleontology and geoscience research, Mrs. Killingsworth continues to raise the bar for educational innovation and communication of science. She inspires both scientists and teachers to collaborate toward a shared vision of science education that is both inquiry-driven and societally relevant. Mrs. Killingsworth has been a key contributor to the University of Florida’s mission to empower discovery and disseminate knowledge beyond campus boundaries.”

Behind these accomplishments is a commitment to people and partnerships. Ennes noted, “Stephanie’s role is complex and involves many moving pieces to support UF scientists as well as Florida’s K-12 teachers and students. She is very passionate about the SEFS program and goes above and beyond to ensure its success. She often replies to teachers calls and emails after hours to facilitate a smooth scientist visit and to make sure they feel heard and valued.”

Stephanie’s dedication, leadership, and care for the communities she serves continue to shape the success of SEFS and the broader mission of TESI.

Congratulations, Stephanie!