Arlington, Va., June 9, 2008—The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning, welcomed four new members to its board of directors. They join a 13-member board that oversees NSTA’s finances, policies and procedures, and strategic planning.
“These newly elected individuals are some of the nation’s most outstanding contributors to science education,” said Page Keeley, president, NSTA. “They will use their expertise in the field of science education to bring about positive change and effective solutions to pressing issues facing the association and it members.”
New board members include:
Dr. Pat Shane (NSTA President-elect), associate director of the Center for Mathematics and Science Education (CMSE) and clinical professor of science education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Shane brings years of leadership and teaching experience to NSTA through her work as a classroom teacher, associate director, college professor, project coordinator, and science consultant to several publishing companies and school systems. Shane has also served as president of the National Science Education Leadership Association (NSELA), the North Carolina Science Teachers Association (NCSTA), and the North Carolina Science Leadership Association (NCSLA).
Dr. Julie Luft (NSTA Research in Science Education Division Director), a professor of science education at Arizona State University (ASU) in Tempe, Ariz. Luft has been an active contributor to the field of science education for more than 20 years. Prior to joining ASU in 2005, Luft was a faculty member at the University of Arizona and the University of Texas at Austin. She has taught middle and high school science, served as an associate editor for several science education journals, and is a past president of the Association for Science Teacher Education (ASTE). She has also presented at numerous NSTA conferences, published books for NSTA Press®, and authored several articles in various NSTA journals.
Vanessa Westbrook (NSTA Multicultural/ Equity in Science Education Division Director), a senior program coordinator for science at the University of Texas at Austin. Westbrook has been a committed member and active leader in the science education community for more than two decades. In addition to having taught science at the elementary, high school, and college levels, Westbrook has served as president of both the Science Teachers Association of Texas (STAT) and the Texas Council of Elementary Science (TCES). Most recently, Westbrook concluded a three-year term as NSTA district XIII director.
Dr. David Wiley (NSTA Preservice Teacher Preparation Division Director), a professor of education at the University of Scranton in Scranton, Pa. Throughout his accomplished career, Wiley has served the science education community in several different capacities. In addition to having taught high school science for 14 years, Wiley served as president of the Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association (PSTA), was an NSTA district director, and worked with the Pennsylvania Department of Education in redesigning teacher education standards.
The four new members began serving their three-year term on June 1, 2008. Board members are elected by the association’s membership, which currently includes more than 57,000.
About NSTA
The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), www.nsta.org, 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
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