Sydney Bergman grew up as a D.C. Public Schools student, attending Hearst Elementary, Eaton Elementary, Deal Middle School, and finally graduating from School Without Walls. Eight years ago, she returned to her alma mater, where she has served as a biology teacher. Ms. Bergman is passionate about her chosen field, saying, “I truly believe that doing science empowers students. I love teaching because I get to communicate my love for science – and get to see how science has the capacity to change students’ lives.” She also promotes science education in a variety of leadership roles, including as chair of her school’s science department, as a member of the DCPS Master Teacher Corps designing curriculum resources for the Next Generation Science Standards, and previously as a facilitator of monthly meetings with other DCPS AP and IB biology teachers.

Ms. Bergman’s hard work is clear in her students’ success. All of her students for the past seven years have scored proficient or advanced on the DC CAS biology exam, while more than 80 percent of her students – regardless of gender, ethnicity, or income level – have passed the AP Biology exam in each of the past two years. She also developed an independent-research course, pairing her students with federal and university mentors at organizations like the National Institutes of Health to assist with the completion of science fair projects. Her students have won the D.C. STEM Fair in each of the past four years. Ms. Bergman sees herself as a facilitator in the classroom. “I want to set students up to make connections and discoveries on their own,” she explains. “My goal is that students leave class every day excited about the material and eager to have it inform their lives.”