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Since being established in 1938, the National Association of Biology Teachers has been a volunteer-led organization, with members selecting the leaders of our community from our
community.
It is now time to elect the next leaders of NABT. In accordance with the Constitution & Bylaws of the association, the NABT Nominating Committee has put forward a slate of candidates
for the following NABT Offices:
Please take a moment to learn more about the candidates by reviewing their biographical profiles below.
All NABT members in good standing are eligible to participate in online voting using the link that was provided via email. Please contact the NABT Office if you did not receive your
ballot.
The entire process should take only a few minutes. All votes must be cast by October 1, 2020 in order to be counted.
Thank you for participating in this important process and for helping NABT continue to be the leader in life science education.
Science Teacher, Lyons Township High School, La Grange, IL
Assistant Professor of Biology, Saint Xavier University, Chicago, IL
NABT Member Since 2008
Recent NABT Activities:
Additional Leadership Experience:
Recent Honors & Additional Activities:
Personal Statement:
Though I have been in the science classroom for 25 years, I continue to learn and grow as an educator thanks to organizations like NABT. As a result, I have been given opportunities to engage
in a variety of leadership activities, including as NABT Awards Chair and many others. NABT has always given me so much that I have always wanted to give back to this vibrant and innovative
organization. I believe I bring a unique perspective as I have taught biology in a variety of settings, including high school, 2-year college, 4-year university, and informal institutions
like zoos. Due to my strengths in leading with engaging scientific phenomena and allowing students at every level to engage in “figuring out over learning about,” I have been
recognized for my work by institutions like NABT, AAAS, the National Science Foundation with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching, and others.
Now, more than ever, life science educators need to adapt to our quickly changing teaching environments and NABT should be a force for that positive change. We can do amazing things together
and, thus, continue to strengthen our NABT community.
Science Teacher, Tiffin Columbian High School, Tiffin, OH
NABT Member Since 2001
Recent NABT Activities:
Additional Leadership Experience:
Recent Honors & Additional Activities:
Personal Statement:
Looking at the statement of purpose, I feel that I can be one that will be able to lead NABT during these uncertain times. I feel that as an organization, we need to focus on growing our
membership. This require us to think outside the box, move to more of an online presence, and look at ways to attract teachers early in their careers. Along with recruiting these new
teachers, we need to foster relationships among the membership that allows us to act as models for new educators so they can provide the best possible biology and life science education.
I feel strongly that it is important that the membership of NABT reflects all students and all classrooms, and there needs to be a push for diversity among our membership. If our goal is to
"empower the individual educator and foster a supportive professional environment to attract a diverse community of educators who continually improve and enhance biology education," we need
to work on making our ranks more diverse. By increasing the diversity of NABT, we can stand by our belief that "all biology and life science educators have a voice and place in our
organization", which I feel strongly that they do.
I feel that NABT will continue to be the leader in biology and life science education. I feel that NABT needs to continue to focus on promoting evidence-based pedagogy. With the rapid change
in education and the movement to online formats for many teachers, NABT needs to look at how we can best support teachers in the digital classroom. Regardless of the challenges, NABT must
promote and support practices that are relevant, scientifically validated, and learner-centered.
Finally, and most important, I am and will always be an advocate for our members, their students, and the teaching profession. I think now, more than ever, NABT needs to be the voice of
reason and the place our members can turn to when they have questions or come under attack.
Assistant Professor, Southern Utah University, Cedar City, UT
NABT Member Since 2010
Recent NABT Activities:
Additional Leadership Experience:
Recent Honors & Additional Activities:
Personal Statement:
I absolutely LOVE NABT! I have been a member since 2010, last year’s conference marked my 10th Annual Meeting. During my time as a member, I’ve served as the chair of the Four-Year Section Student Group, Co-Chair of the Four-Year Section Professional Development Committee, and Co-Chair of the Archival (formerly History) Committee, and for the year leading up to the San Diego meeting (2018), I tirelessly cajoled 18 faculty and students from my school to submit presentations and attend NABT.
The annual meeting, articles in ABT, and conversations on our social media platforms provide avenues for professional development and camaraderie among Biology teachers of all teaching levels that is different from any other education organization. NABT not only provides a platform for individual development but identifies trends in critical areas and issues in biology education. I feel that this work is especially vital with the influence of social media on people’s perceptions of science. If nominated and elected to serve as Director-at-Large, I would continue my dedication to NABT by representing the membership, serve as a liaison to the public and private sectors, and investigate critical areas in biology education.
Associate Professor of Practice, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
NABT Member Since 2007
Recent NABT Activities:
Additional Leadership Experience
Recent Honors & Additional Activities:
Personal Statement:
I have been an active member of NABT for the last twelve years. In my current position at the UNL, I work with STEM education researchers across the K-16 spectrum and am always seeking ways to provide instructors with tools and resources that address challenges of the modern biology classroom. I have served NABT in many different capacities; as a Director-Coordinator and Region IV Coordinator, Co-chair of the Introductory Biology Task Force, and past chair of the 4-Year Section. NABT has been an excellent source of mentoring, training, and leadership development since the infancy of my career in biology education. Being part of NABT means I get the opportunity to learn from the best educators in the world who continuously challenge me, encourage self-reflection, and support both my professional and personal growth.
The position of Director-at-Large is an opportunity to give back to my NABT family and serve as an advocate for current and future NABT Members. I feel my leadership experience inside and outside of the organization, along with the expertise I bring in biology education research, will help NABT and its members reach their professional goals, particularly in providing ways to enhance professional development opportunities.
Science Teacher, Visitation Academy of Saint Louis, St. Louis, MO
NABT Member Since 2007
Recent NABT Activities:
Additional Leadership Experience:
Recent Honors & Additional Activities:
Personal Statement:
The support, friendships, and encouragement that I have received through my membership in NABT have enriched my teaching. I have learned so much by attending NABT conferences and connecting with teachers from across the world, and if asked to serve as an NABT Regional Coordinator, I would look forward to working with the state NABT representatives to promote membership and to help organize events in the region to help build connections between teachers.
My work through Washington University of Saint Louis has helped me build the skills needed to plan regional events and to facilitate opportunities for teacher support. I look forward to taking a more active role in communicating policy decisions that are being made at the regional level in science education with the NABT office, and I am willing to complete the required reports needed to help keep the organization running smoothly at the regional level. What I look forward to most in this position is welcoming and supporting members from the region, encouraging them to build supportive relationships with other teachers, and helping them to gain the confidence to share what they are doing in their classrooms to help others through NABT conferences and publications.
Lead Biology Instructor, Butler Community College, Andover, KS
NABT Member Since 2007
Recent NABT Activities:
Additional Leadership Experience:
Recent Honors & Additional Activities:
Personal Statement:
For the past five years, I have held a leadership position within NABT. Throughout my time in these positions I have had conversations with educators at all levels, from junior high school to four-year colleges, to encourage collaboration and communication to advance science education as a whole. As a current Director-at-Large, I continually work to promote NABT and work closely with current volunteers and board members to encourage membership, participation, and leadership throughout all levels of the organization.
Volunteering as a regional and state science fair judge and working with local school districts for professional development in Kansas has given me the ability to develop relationships with K-12 educators in my region, and I would like the opportunity to expand that network to other states as the Region IV Coordinator. I have worked with state OBTA directors in the past and look forward to potentially working with the other OBTA Directors in Region IV. I have gained insight and valuable knowledge as an educator and leader during the past 3 years serving on the Board of Directors, and I look forward to the opportunity to continue serving NABT in a new role as Region IV Coordinator.
Science Teacher, Carrboro High School, Carrboro, NC
NABT Member Since 1999
Recent NABT Activities:
Additional Leadership Experience:
Recent Honors & Additional Activities:
Personal Statement:
I am a veteran teacher committed to not only providing my students with a high level of instruction, but working with other teachers and educational organizations to raise the level of biology instruction across the country. Through NABT I discovered a community of passionate, committed, and talented educators and scientists committed to benefiting its members, their students, and the community-at-large. I learned just how important the NABT community is during my experiences in the AP Biology Leadership Academy. During the Academy, my focus on student-centered pedagogy, inquiry learning, and passion for teaching biology was rejuvenated and replenished. I attended my first NABT national conference with my cohort, and I have been an active member of the NABT family ever since.
As a part of the NABT community, I have made some of my best friends, found people I can rely on for professional expertise for both teaching and science content, and discovered a go-to circle of individuals who strive to constantly improve themselves and their practice.
As an HHMI BioInteractive Ambassador, I have presented at the NABT and NSTA national conferences, as well as conducted workshops for school districts and community colleges. Through these outreach experiences, I am reminded of how important communities like NABT are to fostering and supporting science education. I look forward to extending the influence of NABT throughout Region V.
Classroom Teacher, Central Magnet High School, Murfreesboro, TN
NABT Member Since 1988
Recent NABT Activities:
Additional Leadership Experience
Recent Honors & Additional Activities:
Personal Statement:
I believe in the power of a single teacher to spark the flash of excitement and curiosity in the minds of students. I may not turn all students into scientists, but in an age where science provides the singular hope for solving overwhelming world problems, every student needs to be a thinking, science-literate member of society. It is my job, and my passion, to instill that science literacy in my students.
As my career has progressed, I feel an overwhelming need to reach out to young teachers, to support and provide them with resources that insure they can meet the needs of their own students. NABT provides its members with amazing resources, and I want to make sure the teachers in my region have access to those resources. I want to see them apply for offices and awards, build relationships with their colleagues, and strengthen their own commitment to their ideals.
Biology Teacher, Esperanza High School, Anaheim, CA
NABT Member Since 2002
Recent NABT Activities:
Additional Leadership Experience
Recent Honors & Awards:
Personal Statement:
For the past five years, I have served as the OBTA Director for California. Serving in this role, as well as participating in work with NABT Professional Development Committee, has enabled me to appreciate all of the contributions from so many dedicated leaders in NABT that makes this organization so valuable for thousands of biology teachers across the country. It has also given me the opportunity to observe outstanding biology teachers in California and their unique lessons to help prepare our students for new careers in a rapidly changing world.
My own experience is in a high school that is fairly diverse in terms of the student population, ranging from English Language Learners and Special Education students to those who will attend Ivy League universities. Teaching such a population of students has made me a better teacher with a wide range of lessons and has enabled me to mentor novice teachers and understand their daily struggles with lesson planning as well as classroom management. Based on this experience, I have been able to join other members of the NABT Professional Development Committee to select sessions for the conference that target students not only in advanced science classes, but also students who may not necessarily be interested in science or who may struggle to understand the advanced concepts that are common in the NGSS curriculum framework, AP Biology, or introductory college biology classes. We need to meet the needs of teachers, particularly those in low-income areas, to encourage them, and provide opportunities like the NABT Professional Development Conferences, and we need to continue to grow as an organization, which is renowned for leadership among biology educators worldwide.
I am looking forward to having the opportunity to serve as the Region Coordinator for Region IX to increase NABT participation along the West Coast, and to work with the Board of Directors to continue outstanding education in biology and to help improve our great organization.
The National Association of Biology Teachers empowers educators to provide the best possible biology and life science education for all students.
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