Her Story
About Liz
Elizabeth Powell is a dedicated biologist and science educator with over a decade of experience inspiring students in both secondary and advanced-level science courses. She formally taught AP Biology, Biology Honors, and Project Lead The Way courses in Human Body Systems (Anatomy and Physiology) and Principles of Biomedicine at Odyssey Charter School during the 2024-2025 school year. Throughout her career, Elizabeth has demonstrated a strong commitment to curriculum innovation, gifted student advocacy, and fostering an inclusive, supportive learning environment. Elizabeth holds a Master of Arts in Biology/Biological Sciences from Western Governors University and a Bachelor of Arts in K-6 Elementary Education with an ESOL endorsement from Florida Atlantic University. Her professional expertise spans curriculum development, advanced science instruction, and differentiated learning strategies. Passionate about empowering girls in STEM and supporting students facing socioeconomic challenges, she integrates empathy and mentorship into her teaching, helping every student build confidence and a love for science. Beyond the classroom, Elizabeth is an avid gardener, sailor, and animal rehabilitation enthusiast, reflecting her deep connection to nature and living systems. She is actively seeking opportunities in college-level teaching or curriculum development that allow for creativity, autonomy, and innovation. With aspirations to write an integrated science curriculum book and pursue a doctorate, Elizabeth is committed to shaping the next generation of scientists while continuing her own growth as an educator and researcher.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Liz
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to respect, building authentic connections, and leading by example—values that were shaped during my early years working in service roles and through my deep empathy for students experiencing poverty or instability. I believe that students learn best when they feel seen, understood, and truly valued.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to stand firm in my teaching philosophy, continue to remain transparent and trust my instincts—even when opportunities arise that don’t feel aligned with my values. This guidance has given me the freedom to prioritize authenticity over convenience throughout my career.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering STEM is to believe in your place, trust your intuition, and never let anyone convince you that your voice or perspective is secondary. I encourage young women to embrace creativity, stay relentlessly curious, and advocate for themselves in spaces where women have historically been underrepresented.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Some of the biggest challenges in my field include teacher burnout, limited autonomy, inconsistent pay for veteran educators, lack of funds for important programs such as PLTW, and systemic barriers that make it difficult to serve at-risk students effectively. At the same time, I see tremendous opportunities in hands-on STEM education to include biomedical learning, integrated curriculum design, and empowering more young women, and at-risk students to pursue science through meaningful, real-world experiences.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are respect, integrity, and relationship-building. I believe in meeting people where they are, modeling the behavior I expect from others (lead by example), and empowering students and young adults to find confidence and their own voice in the world. I hold the philosophy of positive response; meaning that when you walk out into the world every morning, we should leave our worries at the door. Even if we’re feeling down, when we smile at a coworker or even a stranger, the response is usually mirrored. When we smile, our brain releases neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, which are responsible for motivation, reward, pleasure, regulation of mood, sleep, appetite and well-being. It gives me strength the accomplish many goals throughout my days, and also an expression of gratitude for my peers.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.