Congratulations to O’Connell engineering teacher, Melissa Pore, who was named the 2026 recipient of the distinguished “Cherri Brinley Outstanding Educator Award” at the 32nd annual Space Exploration Educators Conference (SEEC), held at Space Center Houston earlier this month. Each year, this award honors exceptional teachers for their achievements in space science education.
Pore was recognized for her highly effective learning environment, her ability to collaborate and engage others to support students’ learning development, and her contribution beyond the classroom to her own professional learning, with the goal of bringing new opportunities to her students.
“Mrs. Pore possesses the rare talent of helping students maintain a sense of childlike wonder while turning that curiosity into tangible scientific learning,” said one of her nominations. “Her excitement for space and science is infectious, creating a momentum where even far-fetched ideas evolve into real experiments. She creates a welcoming environment where all students feel capable, and there is no ‘STEM type,’ allowing everyone to contribute. Her encouragement helps students feel a sense of belonging in scientific spaces that might otherwise seem intimidating.”
