Sergio deAlba

Sergio deAlba

Fellowship Placement: U.S. Geological Survey
Hometown: Los Banos, CA

Sergio de Alba is a sixth-grade teacher at R. M. Miano Elementary. He has spent the last twenty years researching and developing innovative STEM and social studies programs geared to producing success in rural communities.

Sergio has served as a National Assessment for the Educational Progress Science Standing Committee member in Washington, D.C., participated in the AEOP Next Generation STEM Teaching Project, serves on the NMLSTA Executive Board, America 250 Advisory Council, and is a Teacher Leader at the California Global Education Project at California State University, Stanislaus. Sergio earned a National Certification for STEM Teaching, a master’s degree in education with distinction, and a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies with BCLAD certification from California State University, Stanislaus.

Sergio has received numerous awards, honors, and recognitions for his work including the George Washington Honor Medal, the Paul DeHart Hurd Award for Exemplary Middle-Level Science Teaching and Leadership, the Edward C. Roy, Jr. Award for Excellence in Earth Science Teaching, the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association Excellence Award, the National Association of Geoscience Teachers Section Outstanding Earth Science Teacher, the Gilder Lehrman National Social Studies Teacher of the Year, and the Henry Ford Innovator Teacher Award. Additionally, Sergio was selected for a Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching Fellowship to assist in developing a STEM program in Colombia, a Grosvenor Teacher Research Fellowship in Antarctica, a National Education Association Global Learning Fellowship in South Africa and is an Education Policy Fellowship Program Fellow.

Sergio’s teaching philosophy is centered on developing the whole child and assisting learners in discovering their gifts and talents while focusing on relevant issues faced in their communities. Through his programs, he has helped students achieve remarkable success academically and as individuals. His focus is on developing successful students by providing a foundational understanding of effective strategies as well as learning the value of becoming productive members of the community. Sergio has presented at state and national conferences to improve and empower educators in the development of community-inspired STEM programs.

In his school, Sergio has led the development of an orchard and fifteen gardens on school grounds, within which students learn about environmental science, agriculture, economics, math, and engineering. These grounds also serve as hubs for community engagement by bringing together STEM education with the livelihood and expertise of many students’ families. Sergio works passionately to reduce inequities in K-12 STEM education. During his fellowship with USGS Sergio will work to improve the efficacy of the Water Science School (usgs.gov/wss) to improve alignment with national science education standards.