Dr. Lara Shamieh Named a 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars Most Influential Teacher

Congratulations to Dr. Lara Shamieh, who was named a 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars most influential teacher! This award is given by the U.S. Secretary of Education on behalf of President Biden. Dr. Shamieh was nominated for this honor by U.S. Presidential Scholar and Jesuit grad Stella Wang ’24, who chose Dr. Shamieh as the one teacher who has inspired her and contributed most to her success. 

Dr. Shamieh began her role as Director of Student Science Research and biology teacher at Jesuit High School in 2015. At that time, only two students were competing in science fairs. Now, around 20 students compete each year. On top of that, in all but one of her nine years as Director of Student Science Research, Dr. Shamieh has sent students to ISEF (International Science and Engineering Fair). She has been the Regeneron Science Talent Search Teacher of Merit every year for the past nine years, and in 2020 she was the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium Oregon State Teacher of the Year. 

Dr. Shamieh embodies what it means to be an Ignatian educator. When she’s not with her students in the lab, she’s helping out with Campus Ministry and getting involved in the Encounter program. Thank you for your incredible service to our school, Dr. Shamieh. We are blessed to have such talented and inspirational educators at Jesuit!