NSTA is saddened to hear of the passing of P. John Whitsett, who served as the association’s president from 2007 to 2008.

Whitsett made significant contributions to science teaching and leadership in professional organizations. His distinguished career as a science educator, spanning more than four decades, also included serving as president of the Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers (WSST), demonstrating his commitment to advancing science education at both state and national levels.

Before being elected NSTA president, he served as District XII Director on the NSTA Council. Additionally, he worked on NSTA’s Nominations Committee, Audit Committee, and Budget and Finance Committee, and performed multiple coordinator roles for national and area conferences.

Many state chapters and associated groups beyond Wisconsin worked with Whitsett when he was a member of the Blue-Ribbon Panel on Local/National Collaboration, on which his insight and focus on bringing educators and associations together served him and NSTA well.

Before retiring in 2012, Whitsett served as Coordinator of Curriculum and Instruction for the Fond du Lac School District in Wisconsin. In this role, he was responsible for providing administrative support for all curricular areas and instructional programs. He had previously taught chemistry and physics for nearly 30 years in both the Fond du Lac School District and at LaCrosse Central High School in Wisconsin. He also was an adjunct faculty member of the Department of Teaching and Learning at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, where he taught elementary science methods and environmental science.

In 2017, he received NSTA’s Distinguished Service to Science Education Award, which honored K–12 teachers, principals, professors, and others in science education for their outstanding work and achievements in the field. Before entering administration, Whitsett was recognized for his dedication to science education with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

His presidential theme, “World-Class Science for the 21st Century,” was a clear indicator of his belief that all students deserved quality science education that provides opportunities for them to develop effective problem-solving and communication skills that will serve them well into their future. When interviewed in 2017 for the Distinguished Service Award, he said, “I have a strong belief that all children deserve a good science experience.”

Through his unwavering commitment to science and education, Whitsett made a lasting impact on the lives of both students and educators. His legacy will live on through all those he inspired, and he will be greatly missed.

Whitsett is survived by his wife, Sue Whitsett, two children, two stepchildren, and their spouses, as well as 11 grandchildren.

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