KCAL Teacher Selected to be Voya Unsung Heroes Award Winner

Samantha Tudor, Keller Center for Advanced Learning (KCAL) medical microbiology teacher, was selected to be a 2024 Voya Unsung Heroes award winner for her innovative teaching method for medical laboratory students.

Each year, Voya Financial, in partnership with Scholarship America, evaluates Unsung Heroes award applications for innovative method, creativity, and the ability to positively influence students. Open to K-12 educators, 50 finalists are selected to receive a $2,000 grant to secure resources to implement a compelling idea to help their students. 

Tudor submitted her innovative idea, "Real Results in Real Time for Career Success," that will increase student knowledge of and experience with vital clinical skills by bringing a real-world clinical laboratory to the school. Throughout the school year, she will introduce a new career pathway in the metroplex area where students will use real-world, hands-on science laboratory activities to become medical laboratory assistants. 

Through this novel initiative, students will learn the science behind and the vital role that laboratory sciences play in everyday labs including chemistry, hematology, coagulation, immunology, and immunohematology, which are critical components for complete and accurate testing. In this project, students will also learn the science, skills, and education required for advanced science and healthcare education to meet community needs and open more doors to careers.  

Unsung Heroes is part of Voya Financial’s signature program, Voya Teacher Voices, which is focused on empowering teachers to become leaders by promoting the teaching career, recognizing high-achieving educators, providing training opportunities and offering financial support to achieve their goals.