ARLINGTON, Va.—June 9, 2020—The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) announced the winners of the 2020 NSTA Teacher Awards program, which honors K–12 teachers, principals, professors and other science education professionals for their outstanding work and achievement in science education. In lieu of the in-person event, award winners are being formally recognized during various virtual award ceremonies, scheduled during late May and early June.

“Congratulations to this year’s extraordinary winners—educators who inspire their students every day through their passion and love of teaching,” said Elizabeth Allan, President of the National Science Teaching Association.

NSTA is honoring the following award recipients:

NSTA Distinguished Service to Science Education Award, sponsored by the U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP)

• Okhee Lee, professor of childhood education, New York University, New York, New York

NSTA Distinguished Teaching Award, sponsored by the U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP)

• Jason J. Crean, science instructor, Lyons Township High School South, Western Springs, Illinois

NSTA Presidential Citation

• Association of Science and Technology Centers, Washington, D.C.

Angela Award

• Makaila Jennings, science student, homeschool, Huntsville, Alabama

Corteva Excellence in Agricultural Science Education Award, sponsored by Corteva Agriscience

• Robert Hodgdon, science teacher, Richmond Hill Middle School, Richmond Hill, Georgia

eCYBERMISSION Team Advisor National Recognition, sponsored by the U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP)

• 6th Grade Teacher Awardee: Laura Wilbanks, Lubbock, Texas
• 7th Grade Teacher Awardee: Laura Wilbanks, Lubbock, Texas
• 8th Grade Teacher Awardee: Beena Chopade, Madison, Alabama
• 9th Grade Teacher Awardee: Lora Gibbons, West Jordan, Utah

Maitland P. Simmons Memorial Award for New Teachers

• Scotti Ann Benton, science teacher, Jasper County Middle School, Monticello, Georgia
• Lindsey Boardman, science teacher, Hanna - Elk Mountain Jr/Sr High School, Hanna, Wyoming
• Kori Bowns, science teacher, Argo Community High School, Summit, Illinois
• Rebecca Casazza, science teacher, Dawson County High School, Glendive, Montana
• Kaleigh Curran, science teacher, Ladue Horton Watkins High School, St. Louis, Missouri
• Ryan Kamphuis, physics and engineering teacher, Benito Juarez Community Academy High School, Chicago, Illinois
• Amanda Kowalczyk, science teacher, Hoech Middle School, St. Ann, Missouri
• Lauren Peterson, science teacher, Lake Middle School, Lake, Mississippi
• Mallika Raman, science teacher, Chesterfield Day School, Chesterfield, Missouri
• Chelsea Reyes, science teacher, John Jay High School, San Antonio, Texas
• Gregory Schanne, science teacher, Independence Charter School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Allison Stickney, chemistry teacher, Uplift Luna Preparatory Secondary School, Dallas, Texas
• Brianna Wise, science teacher, Mason County Central Middle School, Scottsville, Michigan
• Kari Walters, science teacher, Quisqueya Christian School, St. Petersburg, Florida
• Meredith Weir, science teacher, Ben Davis Ninth Grade Center, Indianapolis, Indiana

Northrop Grumman Excellence in Engineering Education Award, sponsored by the Northrop Grumman Foundation

• Erica L. Delgado, science teacher, Lennox Math and Science Academy, Lennox, California

Robert E. Yager Foundation Excellence in Teaching Awards

• District VI Recipient: Andrea Starks, science teacher, Houston Middle/Germantown Municipal School, Germantown, Tennessee
• District VII Recipient: Adrine Renee Williams, science teacher, Baker Elementary School, Jackson, Mississippi
• District XII Recipient: Randie Johnson, science teacher, Glenn Westlake Middle School, Lombard, Illinois
• District XVIII Recipient: Joseph Muise, science teacher, St. Thomas More Collegiate, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

Ron Mardigian Bio-Rad Explorer Award, sponsored by Bio-Rad Laboratories

• David Frischer, biotechnology science teacher, Abraham Lincoln High School, San Francisco, California

SeaWorld Environmental Educator of the Year Award, sponsored by SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment

• Angela Lacey Hoosier, science teacher, Buckeye High School, Deville, Louisiana

Shell Science Teaching Award, sponsored by Shell

• Awardee: Martha McLeod, science teacher, Fulton Learning Center, Rockport, Texas
• Finalist: Sergio de Alba, science teacher, R.M. Miano Elementary School, Los Banos, California
• Finalist: Silvia Miranda, science teacher, Mesa Elementary School, Clovis, New Mexico

Shell Science Lab Challenge, sponsored by Shell, outfitted by Carolina Biological Supply Company

• Grand Prize Winner: Amber Taylor, science teacher, Hutto Middle School, Bainbridge, Georgia
• National Finalist: Amanda Flanagan, science teacher, John Rolfe Middle School, Henrico, Virginia
• National Finalist:  Jessica Thomas, science teacher, Pecos High School, Pecos, Texas
• National Finalist: Anna Newley, science teacher, Sonoran Science Academy, Phoenix, Arizona
• National Finalist: Phong Nguyen, science teacher, Oakland Unity High School, Oakland, California

Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge, sponsored by Shell, outfitted by Carolina Biological Supply Company

• Grand Prize Winner (Elementary School Level): Brooke Love, science teacher, Chickasaw Elementary School, Chickasaw, Alabama
• Grand Prize Winner (Middle School Level): Chelsea Clement, science teacher, Lutcher High School (middle grades), Lutcher, Louisiana
• Grand Prize Winner (High School Level): Pamela Baker, science teacher, Alma Bryant High School, Irvington, Alabama

Shell Urban Science Educator Development Award, sponsored by Shell

• Yolanda Crawford, science teacher John P. Freeman Optional School, Memphis, Tennessee
• Sundra Dolberry, science teacher, John P. Freeman Optional School, Memphis, Tennessee
• Michelle Ellis, science teacher, Hunter Huss High School, Gastonia, North Carolina
• Candace Edmerson, science teacher, Grand Prairie High School, Grand Prairie, Texas
• Coretta Denise Duckworth, science teacher, Collins High School, Collins, Mississippi
• Rabiah Harris, science teacher, Jefferson Middle School Academy, Washington, D.C.
• Kendra Mallory, science teacher, Morton School of Excellence, Chicago, Illinois

Sylvia Shugrue Award for Elementary School Teachers

• Covey Denton, science teacher, Greenfield School, Wilson, North Carolina

Vernier Software & Technology Awards, sponsored by Vernier Software & Technology

• Elementary Level: Aaron Burke, media teacher, South Avenue Elementary School, Beacon, New York
• Middle School Level: Colin Pattison, science teacher, Indian Creek Road Public School, Chatham, Ontario, Canada
• Middle School Level: Annette Simpson, science teacher, McClesky Middle School, Marietta, Georgia
• High School Level: Neil Ford, science teacher, St. Helens High School, St. Helens, Oregon
• High School Level: Kelley Parks, agricultural science teacher, Forreston Jr/Sr High School, Forreston, Illinois
• High School Level: Kristine Schertz, science teacher, Saugus High School, Santa Clarita, California
• College Level: Estelle Lebeau, associate professor, Johnson & Wales University, Providence, Rhode Island

NSTA encourages science educators to apply for its 2021 NSTA Teacher Awards. For information, visit https://www.nsta.org/awards-and-recognition-program.

The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence in science teaching and learning, preschool through college. NSTA’s membership includes approximately 50,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business representatives, and others involved in science education.

Kate Falk, NSTA
(703) 312-9211
kfalk@nsta.org

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