TAVIA MAREZ

Nominated by: Rebecca Carlson, College of Engineering

Tavia Marez is a National Board Certified chemistry teacher at Fort Walton Beach High School in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. At FWBHS, she has taught AP Chemistry and Chemistry 1 Honors for the last 18 years. Her passion for science and independent research has included starting a chapter of the Science National Honor Society, which organizes and supports school-wide blood drives and provides scholarships to students who compete at regional, state and international science fairs, such as ISWEEEP and Intel ISEF. Tavia has a Bachelors of Science degree in Genetics and Developmental Biology from the Pennsylvania State University, a Masters in Secondary Education and a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of West Florida. She lives in Fort Walton Beach with her husband, Tobi, and children, Chase, Connor, Makenzie and Madden.

JARED RUDDICK

Nominated by: Victoria Baccini, College of Arts and Sciences

Jared Ruddick is science teacher at Girard Academic Music Program in South Philadelphia. He works to increase student interest by bringing real life biological and physical science into classrooms through partnerships with the Gift of Life Donor Center, Dow Chemical, the University of Pennsylvania, the Wistar Institute, Philadelphia Air Management Services and the EPA, and with Drexel University’s GK-12 Program. Jared’s passion is biology, but he has created innovative science electives centered around food science, robotics, engineering, and digital media in order to spark student engagement. He lives outside Philadelphia with his wife, Rachel, two cats, Ramona and Olive, and his collection of craft beer.

RAHEEL SALEEM

Nominated by: Jennifer Lam, School of Education

Raheel Saleem has been a school counselor for the past six years and is currently a counselor at Montgomery High School in Skillman, New Jersey. He has earned his Master’s of Science in Education specializing in School Counseling from Monmouth University in West Long Branch, NJ and is currently attending The College of New Jersey to be certified as a student assistance counselor. Raheel is also the varsity tennis coach for the boy’s and girl’s tennis teams. Raheel lives in Howell, NJ with his loving wife, Jessica.

JONAS VIIK

Nominated by: Sara Golshahr, LeBow College of Business

Jonas Viik is in his eighth year as a Business Educator at Farmingdale High School, which is located on Long Island, New York. As a teacher he instructs students in topics such as Personal Finance, Video Game Design, Web Design, and Microsoft Office. As an adviser for DECA and also for the DigiTech Club, he encourages and enables students to pursue their passions in order to achieve their full potential. With his assistance, students are prepared for a multiple competitions on the local, state, and international level to present to judges and showcase their expertise in a plethora of subjects. He also helps organize the annual Farmingdale Community Networking event, which puts high school students in connection with local professionals who, in turn, give insight into the students’ prospective career choices. Jonas received his undergraduate degree from Clark University and he received his Masters of Science degree from New York University.