An Oklahoma State University alumna has been awarded for her contributions to STEM education, earning statewide recognition as a teacher.

Leah Dollar, a Stillwater Junior High School educator and OSU graduate, recently received the 2026 Siegfried Excellence in STEM Educator of the Year award. In addition to the middle school award, Dollar also received the 2026 overall STEM educator of the year.

Stillwater Public Schools also honored Dollar as its district Teacher of the Year in May 2025.

The Siegfried award recognized Dollar among outstanding STEM educators across Oklahoma. Along with the honor, she received $10,000 to support her school's robotics team, helping cover the cost of VEX equipment, parts and competitions.

Dollar said she was humbled to receive the recognition, particularly alongside educators across the state who are making meaningful contributions to STEM education.

"The educators I competed with across the state are doing mind-blowing things in their classrooms – they are true visionaries," Dollar said. "To be singled out among colleagues who are raising the bar for education across Oklahoma is an honor I don't take lightly."

Dollar's recognition also reflects the support she has received from her school community. She said she was nominated by her students, their parents and her administrators, making the award especially meaningful.

As a College of Education and Human Sciences alumna, Dollar earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education in 2015 and a master's degree in educational technology in 2020. She said her experiences at OSU helped establish the values she carries into her classroom today.

"My time at Oklahoma State laid the foundation for everything I do in the classroom," Dollar said. "It taught me the value of service, resilience, and community – values I try to pass down to my students every single day."

Dollar has spent 12 years in education, including the past six years in Stillwater. She teaches eighth-grade STEM, Google Tools, Fundamentals of Technology and Yearbook at Stillwater Junior High. She also coaches robotics for eighth- through 12th-grade students while serving as the school's Technology Student Association adviser.

Through her teaching, Dollar hopes to prepare students for opportunities that may not even exist yet. Rather than focusing solely on science and math concepts, she emphasizes the problem-solving and critical-thinking skills students will need throughout their lives.

"We are preparing students for a future filled with jobs we can't even fathom today," Dollar said.

That philosophy extends beyond her classroom through her work leading summer STEM camps on the OSU campus for the Center for Research on STEM Teaching and Learning.

The camps introduce students to coding, robotics and the engineering design process through hands-on activities. Dollar said the experience gives students an opportunity to experiment, work through challenges and learn the importance of making mistakes when developing solutions.

"When a robot doesn't move or a line of code breaks, it's not a failure – it's just step one of the design process," Dollar said.

By bringing students to a university campus and giving them opportunities to explore STEM fields, Dollar hopes to build their confidence and help them envision a future in higher education.

"Giving students that safe space to experiment on a university campus demystifies college, builds real-world confidence, and shows them that they belong in STEM," she said.

For Dollar, receiving recognition for her work is meaningful, but the greatest reward is the opportunity to make a difference in students' lives.

"Teaching is about so much more than lessons,” Dollar said. “It's about building confidence, fostering curiosity and letting students know they matter."

Frequently Asked Questions

What award did Leah Dollar receive in 2026?

Leah Dollar received the 2026 Siegfried Excellence in STEM Educator of the Year award and the 2026 overall STEM Educator of the Year honor.

How much prize money did Leah Dollar receive with the Siegfried STEM award?

Leah Dollar received $10,000 to support Stillwater Junior High School's robotics team. The funding will help cover VEX equipment, parts and competition costs.

What degrees did Leah Dollar earn from Oklahoma State University?

Leah Dollar earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from OSU in 2015 and a master's degree in educational technology in 2020. She is an alumna of OSU's College of Education and Human Sciences.

What does Leah Dollar teach at Stillwater Junior High School?

Leah Dollar teaches eighth-grade STEM, Google Tools, Fundamentals of Technology and Yearbook at Stillwater Junior High School. She also coaches robotics students in eighth through 12th grades.

What STEM programs does Leah Dollar lead at Oklahoma State University?

Leah Dollar leads summer STEM camps on the OSU campus through the Center for Research on STEM Teaching and Learning. The camps introduce students to coding, robotics and the engineering design process through hands-on activities.

Story By: Annie Ross | annie.ross@okstate.edu