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2003 Outstanding Earth-Science Teacher Awards

Posted on: Tuesday, 16 March 2004, 06:00 CST

Outstanding Earth Science Teacher (OEST) awards are given for "exceptional contributions to the stimulation of interest in the Earth Sciences at the pre-college level." Any teacher or other K-12 educator who covers a significant amount of earth science content with their students is eligible. Ten national finalists are selected, one from each NAGT regional section. Some sections also recognize state winners. Individuals may submit an application themselves or nominate a colleague for the award.

Nominations may be submitted at any time during the year, however most sections need this information by March in order to consider the applicant for the current calendar year. The official nomination form and supporting materials should be sent to the sectional OEST chair or to the NAGT Executive Director (see NAGT website http:// www.nagt.ortg for contact information).

The National Association of Geoscience Teachers gives each section OEST awardee a plaque and a two-year membership in the Association, which includes a subscription to the Journal of Geoscience Education. Other NAGT awards vary from section to section and among states within sections.

In addition, the Geological Society of America provides a monetary award and a 3-year Teachers Associate Membership, and the National Earth Science Teachers Association provides a one-year membership, which includes a subscription to the Earth Scientist. The following organizations provide tangible support of various kinds such as teaching materials or gifts: American Geological Institute, American Geophysical Union, American Institute of Professional Geologists, National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), Joint Oceanographic Institutions, Inc., and the U.S. Geological Survey.

SECTION WINNERS

Central Section

Craig Wolter is the 2003 winner of the OESTA Award for the State of Minnesota and the Central Section.

Eastern Section

The 2003 winner of the OEST Award for the State of New York and the Eastern Section is Glenn Dolphin. Glenn teaches 9th grade earth science at Union-Endicott High School. He has a BS in Geology from SUNY Binghamton, an MA in Geology from The Johns Hopkins University, and a MAT Geology from Binghamton University. His philosophy of teaching science is a quote from E. O. Wilson's book Consilience: the Unity of Knowledge: "The world henceforth will be run by synthesizers, people able to put together the right information at the right time, think critically about it, and make important choices wisely." Glenn recognizes multiple intelligences and uses art, music, literature, and modern movies to teach difficult concepts. His syllabus opens with "Earth Science: Not just a course, but a way of life." A colleague writes, "One only needs to walk into Glenn's room to find evidence of his creativity. Murals, models, maps, and other visual displays bring the room to life." As you enter his room, the first thing you see is a "visually stunning and scientifically accurate, full-course graphic organizer on one of the walls of his classroom which he did in conjunction with the art teacher." Glenn has thrown away the "canned" laboratory manual and developed or rewritten labs for his earth science course. Glenn is a dedicated professional who presents for the STANYS conference and serves as a Director at Large for Earth Science. Glenn writes articles for Kaleidoscope and Earth Times and has organized student groups to participate in a Riverbank Clean-up for the past 8 years with the community. In 1988 he was the recipient of NAGT's Ralph Digman Award. Glenn's creativity and energy are truly assets to his classroom.

Far Western Section

Joan Hacken Carter is the recipient of the 2003 Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Award and is an earth science teacher at Branham High School in San Jose, CA. Colleagues report that Joan's deep concern for her students, her passionate interest in earth science, boundless energy and exceptional instructional skills transform her classroom into an extraordinarily invigorating, meaningful learning environment. She uses multiple learning experience to both enliven her classes and address multiple learning styles of students, successfully accommodating students with highly variable skills, backgrounds and needs.

Joan's freshman earth science class, uses Problem-Based Learning pedagogy where students work collaboratively to solve real problems. Using problems based on local issues and concerns, web-based technology, field experiences and hands-on exploration, students not only acquire an understanding of earth science concepts but also develop critical thinking skills.

Prior to joining the faculty at Branham, Joan taught at Westmont High School in Campbell, CA. She helped develop an interdisciplinary program linking English, Algebra and Earth Science for 9th grade students and was recognized statewide for developing a simulated Space Shuttle Program that took six students on a "mission" lasting 60-72 hours each spring.

Joan earned a BS in Microbiology at Brigham Young University and recently completed her MA in Natural Science at San Jose State University. Joan regularly attends professional conferences and workshops that explore new pedagogical approaches and instructional materials and generously shares her skills and knowledge with other teachers. Joan presently serves as "Teacher-In-Residence" helping prepare future teachers at San Jose State University. The Far Western Section is proud to recognize and honor this distinguished colleague.

Mid-continent Section

No winner in 2003

New England Section

The 2003 Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Award winner from the New England Section is Shelly F. Snyder, who teaches Earth Science at Mt. Abraham Union High School in Bristol, VT. In her fifteen- year teaching career she has been an energetic innovator, having her students involved in collecting field data, doing research, and integrating local environmental issues into science classes. Shelley comments that "It is well and good to learn about the rain forests, but we need to learn about the forests in our own backyard... we talk only about the faraway places, our back yards seem insignificant." She successfully includes the arts and humanities in science classes (and general education) using story telling and drama.

One of Shelly's goals is to design open-ended investigations that are interesting and challenging but not overwhelming for the students. Shelley's principal states that the students in her classes are "engaged and inquisitive... She is always challenging students to think and find the answers for themselves, to go beyond their comfort zone and experiment...." And she does this with a good sense of humor. Shelley challenges herself academically by taking classes such as forensic anthropology and hydrogeology, and workshops like the NASA Snow and Ice investigations held at Lake Placid, NY in 2001.

In her classroom Shelley maintains a working river system model, complete with plants, fish, and running water. Hands-on education is the norm. Students are interacting with the hissing cockroaches or the rock pile depending on the subject of the day. Students engage in discussion and experimentation routinely. She also was a pilot teacher for a "rivers" unit for a secondary textbook.

Shelly is a constant force in the Vermont Geological Society, and has been President three times. She has given many professional presentations to teachers and the public, and written grants and journal articles. Her passion for science and teaching is contagious.

North Central Section

No winner in 2003

Pacific Northwest Section

Shawn E. Doan is an earth science educator at Sehome High School in Bellingham, Washington. Mr. Doan is a graduate of Western Washington University and the University of Hawaii. Shawn utilizes an active inquiry approach in his classes with students completing self-paced laboratory projects. His extensive research experience has taken him throughout California, the Pacific Northwest, Hawaii and Tahiti. Spending 180 days aboard a research ship provided opportunity for several ALVIN submarine dives, while work as a fisheries research technician, field technician for an environmental consulting firm and a research SCUBA diver all provide a working foundation to the topics that he teaches in the classroom. Shawn has contributed to the extracurricular experiences of many students as advisor to the Ocean Sciences and Bike clubs and through his role as coach/mentor of the Science Olympiad team and a team of students participating in the National Ocean Sciences Bowl in La Jolla. He has recently received a Gates Foundation Teacher Leadership Project technology grant that has provided training and equipment for his classroom. Shawn has actively worked with faculty in other disciplines ranging from English as a Second Language (ESL), Special Education, Life Science and working with other Global Sciences teachers in developing curriculum. Additionally, he is part of a faculty group that is focused on coordinating the curriculum of science, English, social studies, mathematics and technology education at Sehome. A simple quote from one of his students represents something we as educators all strive for: "his class makes you think."

Southeastern Section

Christine Henry is the 2003 winner of the OESTA Award for the Southeastern Section. Christine came back to teaching science six years ago after tak\ing a break to raise her three sons. She immediately started on her Master of Science in Education, Science, Mathematics and Research at the University of Tennessee, finishing in 1999. She is certified by the State of Tennessee in Chemistry, Biology, and General Science grades 7-12. During the course of becoming reeducated she became impassioned with earth science education which she teaches exclusively to eighth graders. She is actively working toward an earth science certification. Ms. Henry is a sensitive, understanding teacher who teaches to all levels of students regardless of ability. She teaches her students using hands- on labs every day to enable them to understand the fragile nature of our earth and all she has to offer us. Christine feels strongly that through integrating earth science into all the curriculum it is the only chance to change the lives of her students as well as their families. She has been instrumental in making sure not only her county, but also the State of Tennessee's goals were in line with the National Standards by volunteering her efforts on tireless committees to write curriculum and choose textbooks. She has been the East Tennesseee representative for the Tennessee Earth Science Teachers (TEST) for the past five years and has been a very active member in that group. Representing TEST Christine has conducted numerous workshops to the Tennessee Science Teachers Association who have begun to represent earth science in a typically life-science arena. It is through her efforts and those of her colleagues that earth science is represented in Tennessee and the surrounding states.

Southwestern Section

The 2003 OEST awardee from the Southwest Section, Rita Grusemeyer, teaches 8th grade earth science at Santa Teresa Middle School, Santa Teresa, NM. Her educational background includes a BS in elementary education from the University of Dayton and MS degree in science education from Wright State University. She has been teaching math, social studies and physical science for 23 years, with the past 3 years teaching earth science exclusively. Rita has a genuine interest in her students, a willingness to be flexible in teaching styles in order to reach all of her students, and an interest in furthering her own education in the subject with or without school support.

Rita makes use of every minute of class. When the students are getting antsy at the end of class she brings out her "Dum-Dum's (suckers) and a list of quick questions (also not strictly science related). She verbally zips through questions that are chosen to match the class abilities, encouraging the reluctant students to participate, and tosses a sucker to those who answer correctly.

Rita attended a teacher's field camp at Western New Mexico University, went to the regional gem and mineral show and received GLOBE training all within the last year. This year, she implemented new approaches to teaching her students, that included hands-on activities, mini-projects, lots of vocabulary work, and even some games. What has all this done for the students? Well, they come to class ready to learn, asking, "What are we going to do today?"

Among her peers, Rita has become known as the "teacher who does all those hands-on projects" and is looked up to as a leader in the classroom which is why she was chosen as team leader of the science teachers. She was nominated as the AAAS New Mexico Science Teacher of the Year by her principal and was chosen to become one of the members of the superintendent's TRENCHES program, representing her school.

Texas section

Michael Milburn is the 2003 winner of the OESTA Award for the Texas section. he writes that "As long as I can remember I have loved science. I was born in Leeds England, and grew up wandering through the English fields with my mother collecting fish, tadpoles, and anything else I could find. In the evenings I would sit down with my dad and play with my chemistry set. On

the weekends my parents would drive 70 miles into London, so I could watch the planes take off; it always amazed me how the planes flew." Michael moved to America when he was in second grade. he lived backing on to a state park and spent a lot of time outside appreciating nature. For a time, he struggled with school. Later he found out that he was severely dyslexic, but with the help of family and teachers worked through it. These interactions with great teachers helped him decide to be a teacher because they truly change lives. In high school we moved to Piano. In Piano schools, I had the fortune of having Mark Wellborn for world history. I became fascinated with history. When I entered college I was still unsure what I wanted to do. I started out as an engineering major. Even though I did well, I was not enjoying it. During my second year of college I met my wife. We both decided to enter the teaching program. I wanted to become a history teacher, so I became certified in History and Science. When I did my student teaching I worked with Bob Nierste at Hendrick Middle School. My love for science cam back. I decided I wanted to pass on my love for science to other people, and decided to teach eighth grade science at Robinson Middle School. Here I have had the opportunity to work with a wonderful staff. My mentoring teacher, Irma Bonham, taught me how to teach and helped me through the rough times. The newest addition to our team, Michael Moore, keeps me enthused to come back and teach every day. I truly believe that I make a difference very day.

STATE WINNERS

British Columbia

Chris Lock is being recognized as the Provincial winner for British Columbia. he teaches at Burnaby South in Burnaby, British Columbia. Chris is a graduate of Simon Fraser University, where he recently returned to work on his Master's Degree in Education. Chris is the faculty sponsor for the Burnaby South Science Club, assists with the annual Science Fair and is a member of the Burnaby School District's Network of Earth Science Teachers. Outside of the sciences, Chris has volunteered to coach the Burnaby South track sprint team and is an accomplished musician who is a member of the New Westminster symphony in British Columbia.

Indiana

Kevin Leineweber

Maryland

Dr. Deano R. Smith, the Maryland winner, teaches for Glenelg High School in Glenelg, MD. he teaches 9th and

12th grade earth science and holds a Ph.D. in Astronomy and Astrophysics from the University of Michigan. Dr. Smith utilizes innovative teaching strategies such as discovery-based learning, the 5E learning cycle model, and cooperative learning. His underlying philosophy of education is "science should be met as a great adventure driven by creativity and logic and that by the end of the course it will not only be fun, but even useful and important to everyday life." he uses enhanced technology in his courses including computational modeling in classes to clarify the scientific process, computer-based labs (CBLs) and white boarding. He works collaboratively with the AP Biology teacher to develop a course in astrobiology. Deano's energy and enthusiasm makes an impression on his students and colleagues.

Minnesota

Craig Wolter - see narrative under Central section Winner

New York

Glenn Dolphin - see narrative under Eastern section Winner

Pennsylvania

Bernard Picklo teaches for the Bradford Area High School in Bradford, PA. he holds a BS degree in secondary education with certificates in Earth and Space Science and General Science from the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown. he earned an Instruction II certificate in 1988. Bernard has recently adopted PowerPoint as a vehicle for teaching earth science and tries to focus his lessons on the way in which science impacts their lives. he incorporates "real' world examples as often as possible and strives to develop in his students an appreciation for the earth. he prides himself on offering introductory college level courses and has developed a math- based astronomy course to demonstrate what astronomy is "really' like. His geology class is a combination of physical, historical and structural. Bernard takes his geology classes to Hamburg New York to collect Devonian invertebrate fossils. He was recently featured in his local newspaper for the WeatherNet Center he maintains at his high school.

South Carolina

Donna Petty is an 8th grade science teacher at Dent Middle School in Columbia. In addition to her twelve years of classroom teaching experience, she has been active in developing and promoting local and statewide curriculum initiatives, especially those involving technology. She has also developed test items for the statewide achievement test and was awarded National Board Certification in 2002. She recently completed a five year project to correlate the PBS "NatureScene" program to classroom lessons and the state science curriculum standards through an interactive web site.

Donna believes that if students enjoy science class and are engaged and challenged, and feel comfortable and cared about by the teacher, then they will learn even if they've developed prior negative feelings about school. She uses a Learning Cycle format and has students write journal entries after each lesson. Donna also coordinates the school's annual Beach/River sweep and works as a merit badge counselor for the boy Scouts.

Virginia

Virginia's Outstanding Earth Science Teaching Award Recipient, Robert Nicholson, teaches earth science to 10-12 graders for T.C. Williams High School. he has a Masters of Arts Degree from Queens College in History and Education. Bob uses a variety of teaching techniques to engage his students and believes that all students are capable of learning. His students' SOL test scores indicate a mastery of learning earth science materials. He incorporates technology-using PowerPoint and databases to enhance instruction and conducts lessons using the school planetarium for his classes as well as his colleagues. he se\rves a Planetarium Director and has opened the planetarium to local scout groups. he serves as a mentor for new teachers and was science department chair from 1987-96. In 1999 he received the Outstanding Educator Award in Alexandria.

West Virginia

Mary Sue Burns teaches at Pocahontas County High School in Marlinton, WV. She holds a BA degree in Biology from Oberlin College and an MA in secondary Science Education from West Virginia University. She has been active with the WV Geologic Survey's RockCamp program attending all five levels, as well as Falls and Fossils. Mary Sue has been invited back as a field assistant for RockCamp I and recently participated in a capstone experience where she became a field geologist mapping portions of WV. She has presented at oth the regional and national levels of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and has recently published an article in The Science Teacher entitled 'Chemistry Rocks: Redox Chemistry as a Geologic Tool." In 1997 she received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching and in 2000 the LC. White Memorial Earth Science Educator Award from the WV Geologic and Economic Survey. Mary Sue's ability to integrate geology, biology, and chemistry has made her an asset to both her students and the teachers of WV.

Copyright National Association of Geoscience Teachers Jan 2004

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