Kim Alvin C. De Lara
Environmental Educator/ Teacher
Chandler USD
Chandler,
Kim Alvin De Lara is an award-winning educator, environmental STEM advocate, and elementary teacher in Arizona. Originally from the Philippines, he brings 14 years of teaching experience and a passion for connecting students with STEM, environmental education, innovation, and hands-on learning. He is a 2025 Arizona Environmental Educator of the Year and a 2026 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators recipient. Kim is also actively involved with NAAEE and inspiring young learners to become creative problem-solvers and environmental stewards.
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Kim Alvin De Lara is an award-winning educator, STEM coordinator, environmental education advocate, and STEM education leader dedicated to creating meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities for students and educators. With 14 years of teaching experience, he currently serves as a 2nd Grade TOP teacher and E-STEM Club advisor at Hartford Sylvia Encinas Elementary School in Chandler, Arizona.
Kim was recognized as one of the NAAEE 30 Under 30 recipients in 2019, honoring emerging leaders making a meaningful contribution to environmental education. His work has continued to expand through national STEM and environmental education initiatives. He served as a DoD STEM Ambassador in 2025 and has participated as an Army STEM Research Fellow and Intern, gaining experience connecting classroom learning with authentic scientific research, engineering, and innovation.
In 2026, Kim was recenltly recognized by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) for Outstanding Service to Environmental Education, recognizing his continued contributions to advancing environmental literacy and sustainability education. His work has also been recognized through the Sustainable Earth Educator Awards, an initiative highlighted by Arizona State University's Sustainable Earth platform, which recognized educators advancing sustainable education across the United States.
Kim founded and leads an Young E-STEM Club that provides students with opportunities to explore environmental science, engineering, technology, and entrepreneurship through authentic projects and competitions. The program was recognized by Arizona Forward as the 2026 winner of the Environmental Education Curriculum-Based Youth Program award, highlighting the impact of student-centered environmental STEM learning.
Beyond his classroom, Kim develops curriculum and professional learning experiences that help educators integrate environmental education, STEM, sustainability, and project-based learning into their instruction. He has created environmental education lesson units and learning experiences for initiatives and organizations including the Arizona State University Sustainability Teacher Academy, Arizona STEM Acceleration Project, Central Arizona Project (CAP), and Arizona Science Center.
His work focuses on transforming environmental challenges into opportunities for students to investigate real-world problems, collect and analyze data, design solutions, communicate their findings, and take meaningful action in their communities. Through project-based learning, design thinking, engineering challenges, and environmental science investigations, Kim strives to empower students particularly those in underserved communities to see themselves as scientists, engineers, innovators, and environmental stewards.
Kim's professional journey reflects a commitment to connecting education, environmental sustainability, STEM innovation, and community impact. He believes that environmental education should not simply teach students about environmental problems; it should give them the knowledge, skills, confidence, and opportunities to become part of the solution.
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