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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, 2022 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.
Department Chair of Biology
Brigham Young University-Idaho
Member Since: 2003
NABT Activities:
Additional Leadership Experience:
Honors & Additional Activities:
Personal Statement:
NABT was the first professional organization I joined as a newly hired Biology faculty at BYU-Idaho. I have now been a member for almost 2 decades, attending every national conference save one. I spent my early years at NABT as an observer, taking in new information, principles, and methodologies. Applying what I learned improved my classroom and brought recognition from my department and college. In short, it empowered me as a professional. Somewhere along the line, a desire to increase my connection led me to inquire about service opportunities. I quickly became both involved and embraced by the Four-Year College and University Section. There I found new opportunities that stretched me and allowed me further growth and development. I also found a diverse and vibrant community that I have admired and appreciated ever since. Continued participation brought growth and insights culminating in my 6-year service on the executive board of NABT as the secretary/treasurer. My pathway from unsure observer to experienced board member has allowed me a 360° view of the organization. It is interesting that I was actually one of the creators of the current NABT Mission and Value statements, but in a very real way, they have also created me.
Goals and Vision Statement for NABT:
NABT is an outstanding organization with many strengths and several future challenges. We have a body of dedicated volunteers and leaders that together push the organization forward. Our community and our mission are our greatest strengths and resources. As we look to the future, our organization will face challenges that come from changing social, political, and financial landscapes. As I sit down to write this a dozen issues assault my mind. Here are just a few of those ideas.
Financially we need to find ways to become less dependent on outside sources of sponsorship, with companies and funders themselves facing changing parameters. We need to value and honor our long-held relationships with partners, associates, and sponsors without depending on them for our existence. This will require a long-term strategic fiscal plan that includes exploring and developing new revenue streams coupled with wise fiscal management and even investment.
We also need to increase our reach. NABT has incredible value but serves only a small part of the potential market. As part of a strategic plan, we need to identify the core strengths that make us unique in the market and build upon those strengths to attract new members to our community. Answering questions, like “Why do people “buy” NABT? What do we do well? And "what do we do uniquely" can help us increase membership and increase our reach. Our focus on Introductory Biology as a course/issue that transcends all teaching levels of our organization is a potential strength that unites us. I think it can be further inculcated into our culture.
We need to look at our organization and management. Our board reflects a representation by geographic regions, but our membership identifies by teaching level. Our board should represent and reflect our membership as does our presidential succession.
Finally, we need to find a way to address our need for our board and executive to carry out long-term strategic planning and initiatives with our need for routine maintenance and reaction to rapidly changing events.
Associate Professor, Science Education
Georgia Southern University
Member Since: 2006
NABT Activities:
Additional Leadership Experience
Honors & Additional Activities
Personal Statement:
My research, teaching, and service focus on equitable and inclusive practices and viewpoints as a foundation for improving science literacy and education for all, whether students, other educators, or the public. In my fifteen years as K-12 and university faculty, I sought opportunities for growth as a professional and an individual, including serving on committees such as equity, elections, membership, and publications to ensure that organizations take action in ways that bring everyone to the table and welcome diverse perspectives. In addition to professional organizations, I serve my institution at multiple levels in governance and leadership and serve as a past president of the interdisciplinary Southeastern Evolutionary Perspectives Society (SEEPS). These experiences increased my understanding of leadership in large bodies where communication, listening, action over words, and maintaining an open mind and critical eye for change ensure that organizations stay productive and responsive to the needs of the membership body. As Elections Chair for ASTE, my work provided requisite experience in the nominations/slate/selection process and communication regarding processes that apply to our Honorary Membership Award. With my experience, I will use the year as President-Elect to serve in preparation for the role of President and Past President in future terms.
Goals and Vision Statement for NABT:
As both a former K-12 classroom teacher and Associate Professor in Science Education/Sciences, I draw from experiences across levels and topics in thinking about how I will serve our membership. My background and personal philosophy allow me to work cooperatively with others, maintain strong lines of communication, and learn throughout my tenure in leadership to meet the organization's needs.
NABT is a national leader in the advocacy and support of science education and science educators. As a long-time member of NABT, the impact of that membership on my teaching practices, research, and advocacy for science education are immeasurable. My work centers around the platform of "science literacy for all," seeking to bridge gaps that often contribute to distrust of science and counter anti-science movements around the country. My work centers on the premise that science is a self-correcting creative endeavor, that science is "hands-on-minds-on," and that all science teachers are "scientist teachers" who model and mentor future generations of thinkers. Each of our voices for science is important, and together our voices are constructive and strong.
In the role of President-Elect, I will use my voice to speak up for science education while also using my platform to ensure that the voices of others are not just heard but amplified. I will advocate for inclusive practices, fora, and opportunities to further support under-represented and marginalized groups in science education and actively work to build opportunities for membership for all groups. I will draw upon my own experience and that of others who have served before me to ensure that I am effective, efficient, and collaborative in my service to the organization. Finally, I will be a good colleague, mentor, and friend to our members and those in biology education that I am here to serve, empower, and represent.
Associate Professor
Texas State University
Member Since: 2006
NABT Activities:
Additional Leadership Experience
Honors & Additional Activities
Personal Statement:
I am a dedicated Biology Teacher with experience teaching in Higher Education, High School, and limited Middle School contexts. I also have ten years of experience directing Biology in Ireland education abroad programs. I believe that my diverse experience as an educator will help me support all biology teachers across sections.
Outside of teaching, I identify as a Biology Education Researcher and focus my projects on supporting ways to make science more accessible to non-scientists. I am particularly interested in exploring the use of visuals in biology, building interest and equity in STEM outdoor education by using culturally reflective practices, and communicating socio-scientific issues in and out of the classroom. I have received multiple grants (including NSF, TPWD, Tri-Beta, HHMI, and private foundations) to fund my efforts. I have published my work involving graduate students, undergraduate students, and practicing educators as co-authors. Our scholarly work includes both research-based teaching lessons and research findings articles published in the American Biology Teacher and other top journals.
I have also presented/co-presented multiple sessions and workshops at the NABT Professional Development Conferences ever since joining in 2006. My experience with leading and mentoring as a biology education researcher affords me perspective to support the ongoing scholarship of our professional community.
Associate Professor
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Member Since: 2006
NABT Activities:
Additional Leadership Experience
Honors & Additional Activities
Personal Statement:
NABT is an organization that is near and dear to my heart. In NABT, I have found a community of kindred spirits dedicated to transformative biology education for each new generation of students. I have held a number of board positions within the NABT Four-Year Section, and have quite a bit of managerial experience at the four-year university level as well. Furthermore, I have served in a number of volunteer positions in my community, including church collection counter, community orchestra member, civic orchestra parent group chair, and most recently secretary for the Southern Illinois Chamber Music Society.
I have been a member of NABT for over 15 years and have been a very involved member of the Four-Year Section of the organization. Currently, besides serving each year as a poster judge and peer-reviewer for research presentations, I am taking a leadership role in developing the Four-Year Section Policies and Procedures manual. I feel a responsibility to step up and support the organization at the national level and believe my strong organizational skills and long-term service to the organization make me well-positioned to contribute positively to NABT as a Director-at-Large.
Teacher and Science Department Chair
Northwestern Regional High School
Member Since: 2012
NABT Activities:
Additional Leadership Experience
Honors & Additional Activities
Personal Statement:
I have loved being a teacher and enjoyed new learning for myself. Every time I participate in these activities, I try to figure out how to instill this excitement in my students. I believe that a teacher needs to show their students that you can always learn and have fun doing it.
I have actively participated in many different workshops and each time I feel like it has helped me to become a better educator. I live in a rural part of Connecticut where the closest university is an hour away, but Sharon Gusky at NCCC has been very helpful in trying to give our students opportunities to learn beyond the classroom. I know that there are many areas in New England that do not have a close connection to a college/university and I think that as an NABT coordinator, this might be one of the ways I could help. I would like to explore how science students could participate in some of the research on a level that they understand.
Everything that I have brought back to my high school has depended on my leadership to present it to the students. I have strived to show them how to research and explore new scientific ideas. You may think that my honors and additional activities are a short list, but I have never been about receiving honors. I have been nominated twice as Connecticut’s Biology Teacher of the Year, and I have turned down the application process. I feel that our job is to work to the best of our abilities. I don’t want accolades other than the occasional thank you.
Director of Education and Outreach
Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard and MIT
Member Since: 2011
NABT Activities:
Additional Leadership Experience
Honors & Additional Activities
Personal Statement:
When I first became a teacher, as a career changer, it occurred to me that my best source of support and guidance regarding my practice would come from other teachers. From my previous career, I came to understand the benefits of networking and collaboration. So I joined as many professional organizations as I could, and the networks I built over the years benefited my students and my career greatly. I would not have been able to establish my post-teaching career as an education consultant without those connections.
When I became Mass. OBTA chair, I received the membership list for our state, and I was somewhat surprised to learn how few of the roughly 1700 Massachusetts biology teachers are NABT members, or even MABT members. I am a big supporter of NABT’s state and national efforts to promote our craft, and that’s why I agreed to become OBTA director. I feel I can further that effort as Region I Coordinator.
Biology Teacher
Southern Wells Junior Senior High School
Member Since: 2007
NABT Activities:
Additional Leadership Experience
Honors & Additional Activities
Personal Statement:
I once overheard a student remark, “It’s so beautiful”, while they watched their own DNA precipitate within a window of isopropyl alcohol that they created from inside a test tube. Even though that comment warmed my heart, that simple remark most certainly helped to provide a purpose for doing the activity, motivation for studying genetics, and an appreciation for the magnificence of biology.
This is no different from wanting to provide drive, enthusiasm and appreciation for all biology teachers though NABT. I want to continue to contribute to science education by sharing concepts, activities, and strategies with my fellow educators in order to keep the beauty of teaching alive. The comradery that would ensue while interacting with other teachers, board members, and/or governmental officials would help bring about opportunities to collaborate and improve science in schools at all levels. As a regional coordinator for District III, I will have the opportunity to offer guidance, resources, and support to biology teachers.
In addition, I want to continue to develop incentives for educators to join and participate in the NABT family. By being involved at so many levels of science education for so many years, I have helped educators be disseminators of knowledge and thus help elevate the quality of life science education in Indiana. As regional coordinator, I wish to continue to serve educators by upholding NABT’s mission and value statements, appointing state representatives and OBTA directors, and promoting NABT involvement for all biology teachers throughout the country.
Biology Teacher
New Washington/Charlestown High Schools
Member Since: 2018
NABT Activities:
Additional Leadership Experience
Honors & Additional Activities
Personal Statement:
Life is always about change, but how do we as scientists teach our students how to cope with an ever-changing world? Teaching is an expression of hope for our future, a way to ensure current generations learn from the past to improve the future outlook of our planet. A major facet of being a teacher is building relationships with students, creating a rapport with them that gives them an outlet for their voice to be heard. After all, students who feel valued more readily embrace the content being taught. A public that is informed about the biological and scientific world around them is better at making local and global decisions for future generations. Seeing students make those connections drives me as a teacher.
As a regional coordinator, I plan to be a voice for educators, celebrate their successes, and bring clarity to opportunities as they arise.
AP/IB Biology Teacher
Allen High School
Member Since: 2010
NABT Activities:
Additional Leadership Experience
Honors & Additional Activities
Personal Statement:
The experience I have as a veteran biology educator and education consultant has provided me with the leadership skills and capacity to lead fellow biology educators in my region. My experience as a science consultant has connected me with teachers and vendors throughout my region and across the country with whom I have built lasting relationships. It is these relationships that I plan to leverage as a regional coordinator when planning professional learning opportunities for educators in Region VII. Through these opportunities, I hope to further develop the instructional capacity of educators in the region so that their students benefit from innovative, inclusive teaching and learning strategies.
I have also served as Texas’ OBTA Coordinator and am familiar with the selection process required to choose exemplary biology educators. It is my goal to make sure each state in Region VII has an OBTA awardee as this region is rich in outstanding educators that deserve to be recognized at the national level.
I also want to serve as an advocate to state science leaders whose states may be in curriculum reviews to let them know that I support their efforts to ensure that science education is evidence-based and free from pseudoscience.
Professor, Interim Chair Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology
University of Oklahoma
Member Since: 2005
NABT Activities
Additional Leadership Experience
Honors & Additional Activities
Personal Statement:
In my career, I have observed that the success of educators is based on communication not only in the classroom but with their larger community of colleagues. Having been a tenured faculty member at both a tiny, private, liberal arts college and a large, public, research university, it has been my experience that educators often get isolated in their own silo of classes, committees, and other obligations. Because of this, it is easy to get caught up in a cycle of doing the same thing each semester because it works. To break out of this cycle and find new ways to invigorate the classroom (and career) it is necessary to communicate with others to find out what works for them, unique solutions to common problems, and new ways of doing things.
From my experience, it has been communication with colleagues that has provided me with opportunities for growth and professional development. As a regional coordinator, I would hope to promote communication, interaction, and exchange of ideas among NABT members in my region.
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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