After accepting the silver apple awarded her, Shearer (in pink with President Barack Obama)—a firm and captivating speaker—acknowledged her current and former students, who she said have taught her “to always see abilities, not disabilities.” Teachers have the difficult task of meeting the diverse needs of all students, she said, and must do so with “love, compassion, and dedication.” In an interview after the ceremony, Shearer said that over the next year, while traveling the country on a speaking tour, she plans to promote STEM education and the importance of “making it accessible to students with special needs, minorities, and young women.” High-res

After accepting the silver apple awarded her, Shearer (in pink with President Barack Obama)—a firm and captivating speaker—acknowledged her current and former students, who she said have taught her “to always see abilities, not disabilities.” Teachers have the difficult task of meeting the diverse needs of all students, she said, and must do so with “love, compassion, and dedication.”

In an interview after the ceremony, Shearer said that over the next year, while traveling the country on a speaking tour, she plans to promote STEM education and the importance of “making it accessible to students with special needs, minorities, and young women.”