ARLINGTON, VA—May 19, 2008—The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning, today announced that Dr. Francis Eberle, executive director of the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance (MMSA), will serve as the association’s new executive director. He succeeds Dr. Gerry Wheeler, who will retire after 13 years with the association.
Eberle was selected by the board of directors after an exhaustive nationwide search that involved hundreds of candidates from around the country. He will take the lead at the end of August.
“Francis brings tremendous passion, leadership, and experience to this position,” said John Whitsett, president, NSTA. “We are pleased to be joined by such a distinguished and accomplished leader in the science education community, who shares the association’s commitment to improving and enhancing science teaching and learning for all.”
Throughout his career, Eberle has served the education profession in many different capacities. Prior to joining MMSA in 1993, Eberle taught middle and high school science, served as an adjunct instructor at the University of Southern Maine, founded and directed the STAR Science Center, and served as president of the Maine Science Teachers Association (MSTA). Additionally, he has served on several boards, advisory groups, and committees for a variety of state and national organizations, including the National Alliance of State Science and Mathematics Coalitions (NASSMC), the Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE), and the Maine Space Grant Consortium (MSGC).
Eberle’s leadership activities also include co-authoring a series of books entitled, “Uncovering Student Ideas in Science,” and serving as principal investigator or co-principal investigator on six National Science Foundation (NSF) grants and two state Math and Science Partnership (MSP) projects. An NSTA member since 1976, Eberle has also contributed extensively to the association, having presented numerous sessions at regional and national conferences and publishing several articles in NSTA journals.
Eberle has also been recognized for his service to science education. He is a recipient of MSTA’s Philip Marcoux Memorial Award for outstanding service to science education and was recognized by the Maine Department of Education with its Alan M. Argondizza Award for outstanding service to elementary science education.
Eberle holds a doctorate in educational studies from Lesley University, a master’s degree in educational psychology from the University of Connecticut, and a bachelor’s degree in science education from Boston University.
About NSTA
The Arlington, VA–based National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's current membership includes more than 57,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.
Contact Information
Kate Meyer
National Science Teachers Association
kmeyer@nsta.org
(703) 312-9211