LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

David Upegui was nominated anonymously.

Mr. Upegui is a science teacher at Central Falls High School, his alma mater. His approach to fostering a positive classroom environment is deeply rooted in equity, inclusivity, and empowerment. His philosophy is centered on ensuring that all students, including multilingual and historically marginalized learners, feel seen, valued, and capable of excelling in rigorous science disciplines.

Key elements of how he creates a positive classroom environment include:

Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy and Community-Based Science: He actively integrates culturally sustaining pedagogy and community-based science in daily instruction to make learning relevant, inclusive, and empowering for all students. This approach ensures that the curriculum not only builds scientific knowledge but also connects to students' lived experiences and cultural backgrounds, fostering a sense of belonging and relevance. His doctoral dissertation, "Social Justice and Evolutionary Biology: A Natural Fit," further exemplifies this commitment to integrating social justice into science education.

Rigorous and Accessible Curriculum: He designs and implements rigorous science curricula across various disciplines, including AP Biology, Human Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Interventions (PLTW), and Issues in Biotechnology. His work with the College Board on redesigning AP Biology instructional materials focuses explicitly on promoting deeper engagement, equity, and access. By providing challenging yet accessible content, he aims to create an environment where all students feel capable of high-level learning.

Support for Diverse Learners: Being ESOL Certified and holding ExcEL Micro-Endorsements in both Essential and Advanced Support for Working with Multilingual Learners equips me to address the specific needs of the diverse student population. This expertise allows him to adapt instructional strategies to ensure all students can fully participate and succeed, fostering a supportive and understanding learning space.

Mentorship and Student-Centered Learning: As an adjunct lecturer and mentor, he has provided instructional coaching to new teachers, emphasizing classroom management, culturally responsive pedagogy, and planning for student-centered learning. These practices are directly applied in his classroom, where he strives to build strong relationships with students and create a space where their voices are heard and their learning needs are met.

Extracurricular Engagement: He founded and coaches the Central Falls High School Science Olympiad team, which has guided students to earn numerous medals. This extracurricular involvement extends the positive learning environment beyond the classroom, fostering teamwork, critical thinking, and a shared passion for science.