NSTA mourns the passing of Dr. Gerald Duane Skoog, a longtime science educator and relentless advocate for the integrity of the biology curriculum. Serving as NSTA president from 1985 to 1986, Skoog’s legacy is defined by his unwavering commitment to the teaching of evolution and his belief that all students deserve access to a rigorous, evidence-based science education. During his presidency, he focused on professionalizing the field of science teaching and defending educators facing ideological pressures. 

Throughout his distinguished career, he taught high school biology and chemistry in Illinois and Nebraska for more than a decade while pursuing his master’s and doctorate. Following the completion of his doctoral degree, he transitioned to teaching at Texas Tech University, from where he ultimately retired after thirty-five years. A leader in the field of biology education, he authored biology textbooks and was a nationally recognized expert on the history of evolution. He was often the first to sound the alarm when scientific standards were threatened, testifying before school boards and state legislatures to ensure that political or religious pressures did not dilute the quality of science instruction. He chaired the national committee tasked with drafting NSTA’s formal position statement on the teaching of evolution, which was first published in 1997.

Beyond his advocacy, Skoog was a dedicated mentor to generations of educators. Those who worked alongside him at NSTA remember him as a leader of profound principle, warmth, and intellectual depth. Before serving as NSTA President, he was a District Director, author of multiple articles in NSTA publications, and served on various committees for the association. He was a recipient of NSTA’s highest honor, the Robert H. Carleton Award, recognizing his lifelong contributions to the profession. 

Additionally, Skoog spearheaded the implementation of NSTA’s national teacher certification program. Launched in the fall of 1986, the program established rigorous criteria for evaluating science teacher preparation programs at the university level. By aligning teacher training with NSTA-approved standards, Skoog sought to equip educators with the scientific and pedagogical authority necessary to resist localized challenges to curriculum standards. He worked to coordinate with the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) to adopt NSTA standards to evaluate teacher training programs at the collegiate level, aiming to elevate science teacher preparation.

Skoog’s influence remains embedded in today's classrooms, where his work continues to protect teachers' right to teach and students' right to learn the foundational truths of the natural world. He will be deeply missed by his colleagues, former students, and the broader scientific and educational communities. 

The mission of NSTA is to transform science education to benefit all through professional learning, partnerships, and advocacy.