Aaron Mathieu

Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, Acton, MA

I teach biology at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School in Acton Massachusetts, where I have taught since 2000. My teaching philosophy is that students need to engage in the process of science to learn biology. This means students need to perform labs where they ask the questions driving their experiments and/or choose the materials they use to conduct experiments. During my 20-year teaching career I have taught biology (including AP), bioethics, chemistry, physics, astronomy, forensics, and environmental science. I received my B.S. in Biology (1996) and M.Ed. (1997) from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. In 2006, I completed my National Board Professional Teaching certification. Outside the classroom, I have worked as a mentor, a facilitator, and a facilitator coordinator for the eMentoring for Student Success (eMSS) program. The eMSS program is an online mentoring program that pairs new and veteran teachers for content and pedagogical support.

Valerie May

Woodstock Academy, Woodstock, CT

Valerie May, a 20 year veteran biology teacher, has taught AP Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, and Biotechnology at Woodstock Academy in rural Woodstock, CT. She graduated with a BS in biology from Eastern University in St. Davids, PA and an Masters of Education from UMass - Amherst. She was the 2014 Woodstock Academy Teacher of the Year and is a 2015 Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching Connecticut State Finalist. Valerie is a proud member of the NABT/BSCS AP Biology Leadership Academy and a HHMI BioInteractive Ambassador.

Her teaching goal is to provide a supportive classroom where students struggle with biological concepts and grow as learners. Valerie’s essay on the role of struggle in the learning process was recently published in a Washington Post education blog.

Outside of teaching, Valerie enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and newly-teenaged son.

Jamie Carpenter

Princess Anne High School, Virginia Beach, VA

No biography available.

Joan Hamer

Honeoye Falls-Lima High School, Honeoye Falls, NY

Joan Hamer earned her BS in Forest Biology from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and Master of Arts in Teaching from SUNY Binghamton. In the classroom for 24 years, she teaches Advanced Placement Biology and Biotech/Forensics at Honeoye Falls Lima High School. Mrs. Hamer is a strong advocate for hands-on, inquiry-based learning and the Socratic Method. She supports her students’ using their prior knowledge to answer questions, so the students see themselves as having an active role in advancing their content knowledge. Mrs. Hamer’s professional interests focus on cooperative learning groups, design-your-own -lab activities, curriculum development, and working with student teachers. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she serves as advisor to the Gay-Straight Alliance, member of the scheduling committee and safety committee for her school, and conference assistant for the Science Teachers Association of NYS. She was also adjunct professor for Genesee Community College teaching Human Biology and Cell Biology. Mrs. Hamer was honored with the Educational Testing Service's (ETS) Recognition of Excellence Award for exceptional individual performance on a content Praxis II Exam, and was selected to participate in the Finger Lakes STEM Hub 2014 Professional Development Summer Institute.

Katherine Heavers

West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South, West Windsor, NJ

No biography available.

David Szaroleta

Salesianum High School, Wilmington, DE

I teach at Salesianum School, a college preparatory private Catholic school for boys. I have been teaching at Salesianum School in Wilmington, Delaware since the fall of 1973. I received my BS degree in Biology from St. Joseph’s University (Philadelphia) in 1972. I then obtained a MS in Biology from West Chester University in 1977. I have been married to my wife, Colleen for thirty-eight years and we have three children and five grandchildren. My daughter, Jennifer is a biology teacher at Tower Hill School in Wilmington.

During my teaching career I have taught chemistry, biology, marine biology, and ap environmental science (APES). I have also been a soccer coach, junior class moderator, served on the school council and the school’s Board of Trustees. I have been a member of the NABT for over thirty years. During this time, I have served as the director of the OBTA for the state of Delaware from 2006 to 2011. I have also presented at NABT conventions in Boston (1993), Albuquerque (2006), and Anaheim (2011). I have been recognized by the Siemens Foundation for excellence.

Lori Bing

Zionsville Community High School, Zionsville, IN

During my 25 years as an educator, I have taught students primarily Advanced Placement Biology, Advanced Genetics and Biotechnology, Honors Anatomy and Physiology, and college-preparatory Biology. I currently teach at Zionsville Community High School, Zionsville, Indiana, and I previously taught at Ankeny High School, Ankeny, Iowa, and Theodore Roosevelt High School, Des Moines, Iowa. I received my Bachelor of Science in biology and my Master of Science in entomology from Iowa State University. My research on the biological control of insect pests of corn was published in a number of scientific journals. Every day I strive for each of my students to grow as critical thinkers and problem solvers, to become life-long learners of biology, and to be curious about the natural world around them. I hope that my passion for biology is contagious and continues to spread through each of my students long after high school graduation.

Andrea Brook

Lake Orion High School, Lake Orion, MI

Andrea Brook earned a B.S. in Biological Sciences (1997) and an M.A. in Curriculum and Teaching (2000) from Michigan State University. In 1999, she joined Lake Orion High School (L.O.H.S.) where she implemented the school’s first-ever A.P. Biology course. In just three short years, the course grew to achieve the highest enrollment, highest exam participation, and highest percentage of students passing the exam in the district. In 2011, Andrea turned her attention toward the ninth grade Biology course, working closely with Special Education teachers to modify curriculum and instruction for all learners. In 2014, Andrea served as the lead Curriculum Designer for Oakland Intermediate School District’s blended Biology course. Today, Andrea’s classroom at L.O.H.S. combines principles of both flipped and modeling instruction to create an engaging environment where students collaborate, investigate, and explore. Andrea has been nominated by over thirty L.O.H.S. graduates as their, “Most Inspiring Staff Member.”

Amy Inselberger

Adlai E. Stevenson High School, Lincolnshire, IL

No biography available.

Jeff Wirch

Kenosha Bradford High School, Kenosha, WI

No biography available.

Kay Bass

Harrisburg High School, Harrisburg, SD

I am honored to be the South Dakota Outstanding Biology Teacher of the Year for 2015. I enjoy teaching high school science at Harrisburg High School in Harrisburg, South Dakota. In my seven years of teaching I have taught physical science, biology, zoology, customized biology, and now am in my first year of teaching Principles of Biomedical Sciences within the Project Lead the Way curriculum. I have had many opportunities to grow professional during my career as an educator. I was selected as a Sanford Educator Research Fellow during the summers of 2012 and 2014 to conduct research in cardiovascular health and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. The past four years, I have co-advised our local HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) chapter. Last year I was awarded the South Dakota HOSA Advisor of the Year and this past spring I was nominated for the National HOSA Outstanding Service Award.

Camden Hanzlick-Burton

Olathe Northwest High School, Olathe, KS

Camden currently teaches 9th grade biology and Advanced Placement Biology at Summit Sierra High School, a new public school in the Chinatown/International District in Seattle, Washington after teaching at Olathe Northwest High School in Olathe, Kansas, where he taught Freshman Biology, Horticulture, and AP Biology for his first three years. Camden earned his B.S. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Kansas, earning his teaching certification through the UKanTeach program. In July, 2015 he earned his M.S. in Biological Sciences from Mississippi State University. In addition to being awarded with the Outstanding Biology Teacher Award for Kansas (2015) from the NABT, he received the Outstanding New Biology Teacher Achievement Award (2015). He is also a Knowles Science Teaching Foundation STEM Fellow.

Doreen Gallant Green

Hemingway High School, Hemingway, SC

My name is Doreen Gallant Green. I live in Georgetown, SC where I teach Hemingway High School in Hemingway, SC. I have been teaching for 26 years and was the 2013-2014 Hemingway High School Teacher of the Year. I received my undergraduate degree from South Carolina State University and my Master’s degree from Cambridge College. I am a member of the South Carolina Science Council, the National Association of Biology Teachers, and a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. I believe that all children can learn and I often remind my students that application plus determination equals success.

Jessica Sandel

Jordan-Matthew High School, Siler City, NC

Jessica Sandel teaches biology and AP Biology at Jordan-Matthews High School in Siler City, North Carolina where she is also Department Chair and PTA President. She also teaches CR Biology and AP biology with the North Carolina Virtual Public school. She graduated with a BS in Biological Science from Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ and she earned her National Board Certification in 2013.  Jessica is a mentor teacher to beginning teachers in her district. She was teacher of the year at her high school and was the winner of the Association of Southeastern Biologists Lucrecia Herr Outstanding Biology Teacher Award.

Carolyn Ruos Thomas

Wildwood Middle School, Shenandoah Junction, WV

I am a middle school science teacher at Wildwood Middle School in Shenandoah Junction, WV. My passion is engaging young people with the world around them. A connecting theme for my teaching is raising brook trout, West Virginia's native trout, through the Trout in the Classroom program offered by Trout Unlimited. As a result of this work, I have developed a community network of biologists who support my students and me as we examine issues related to the decline of native brook trout populations. I received a Presidential Innovation Award in Environmental Education in 2013 and earned National Board Certification in 2014. I am the president-elect of the West Virginia Science Teachers Association. A “second” career teacher, I graduated from the University of Maryland with a BS in zoology and entered teaching eight years ago.

Katie Higgins

Patrick Taylor Science and Technology Academy, River Ridge, LA

No biography available.

Trecia Neal

Fernbank Science Center, Atlanta, GA

I have been a biologist at Fernbank Science Center in Atlanta since 1990. My areas of expertise are ornithology, environmental education, and establishing outdoor classrooms and gardens at schools. For eight years, I’ve been teaching students and teachers about the wonders of monarchs by teaching Professional Development courses in Michoacán, Mexico where we study Monarch butterflies in their overwintering habitat. I have a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in science education with an emphasis in animal behavior.

I am the project director for the School Master Gardener program that has trained over 300 Master Gardeners from 50 different schools across DeKalb County. Since 2003 these participants have volunteered over 25,000 hours at their local schoolhouses with over 35,000 students. Numerous Junior Master Gardener Clubs have formed in the local schoolhouses. This program has also brought in over $63,461 in grant money at the local schools since 2008.

Lorraine Perez

Russelville High School, Russellville, AL

Lorraine has taught Anatomy & Physiology, Zoology & AP biology for the past 18 years, has served as the department chair for the past 16 years at RHS, and has been an adjunct professor at Northwest Shoals Community College. She is a former Siemens STEM Institute Fellow, FDA Food Science Fellow, Genetic Technologies for Alabama Classrooms Fellow, has received several awards, including the Superintendent's Meritorious Award, and has been a finalist in the Samsung ‘Solve for Tomorrow’ Contest, along with numerous classroom grants.

Mrs. Perez is described as “resourceful, creative, innovative and deeply caring.” She has pioneered efforts at her school to use innovative instructional techniques and technologies, such as podcast lectures that students watch at home, and using music and video to aid student retention of challenging concepts. “My classroom is an eclectic mix of various technologies. As a Biology educator, I strive to make my classroom exciting, memorable and packed with knowledge.”

Paula Phillips

Trinity Preparatory School, Winter Park, FL

No biography available.

Peggy Alexander

Owasso Mid High School, Owasso, OK

No biography available.

Matt Wells

Cypress Lakes High School, Katy, TX

No biography available.

Casey Woods

Beebe High School, Beebe, AR

Since graduating from Lyon College in Batesville, Arkansas with a B.A. in Biology and a concentration in Secondary Education, I have been teaching high school biology for 14 years. After spending 8 years in the Lonoke School District, I began the last 6 years of career at Beebe High School, in Beebe, Arkansas. During my time at Beebe, we have added the pre AP and AP Biology curriculums. I have also earned my Masters of Special Education in Gifted, Talented, and Creative from Arkansas State University since being hired as the GT Coordinator for grades 9-12 in Beebe. I been part of amazing growth in our AP program as we partnered with the Arkansas Advanced Initiative in Math and Science, earning our district recognition as part of the CollegeBoards’ AP Honor Roll for the last two years. Being recognized as an outstanding teacher in Arkansas only speaks to the amazing students, administration, and staff that I am blessed to work alongside.

Kimberly Popham

Belgrade High School, Belgrade, MT

I earned a BA in Biology and Environmental Science from the University of Montana in 1995 and completed a Masters’ of Science in Science Education in 2004. I started my teaching career in my hometown of Stevensville, MT where I taught Earth Science and Biology for eight years. I moved to Belgrade, MT in 2004 and taught middle school life science for four years and then moved to the high school where I currently teach AP Biology, Biology I and Forensic science. I am a board member for the Montana Science Teachers Association and work with the Murdock Trust as an instructional coach for their Partners in Science grant. My classroom is an active one where students can be found “doing” science and having fun!

Robin Walters

Sand Creek High School, Colorado Springs, CO

Currently in my 25th year of teaching, this is my 5th at Sand Creek High School in Colorado Springs. I teach Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, and AP Biology. Prior to that I taught at Harrison High School, also in Colorado Springs for 18 years. I earned my BA in Biology and MAT in Secondary Science Teaching from Colorado College. Growing up in the small town of Salida shaped who I am as a person and teacher; my high school teachers taught me the importance of relationships, high expectations, and unwavering support and encouragement. These “small town” elements now are being passed on to my students. One of the highlights of my career has been being part of the BSCS/NABT AP Biology Leadership Academy where it’s been a joy to work with many passionate and inspiring teachers! I’ve been previously honored as Teacher of the Year at Harrison and Sand Creek High Schools and as a CAST Secondary Science Teacher Award winner. I’m currently the treasurer for the Colorado Biology Teachers Association.

Thomas Artiss

The Harker School, Bonny Doon, CA

A native of Canada, Thomas Artiss has been teaching 8th grade biology at the Harker School in San Jose, California, for 4 years. Prior to this, Thomas has taught AP biology, anatomy and physiology, medical biology and forensic science at schools in cities as varied as Pebble Beach, Calif., Seattle, Wash., and Nicholasville, Ky. He chaired the science department at two of those schools, helped coach varsity girl’s volleyball and JV girl’s basketball, and has served as a faculty mentor for students pursuing independent research projects.

Prior to has teaching career, Thomas was active in research. For his master’s degree in behavioral ecology, Thomas studied white-tailed ptarmigan in Colorado, and went on to spend a year doing research with the Colorado Division of Wildlife. For his doctoral research, Thomas did field research in Florida and Ontario, Canada, and conducted lab research at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Thomas completed his thesis on the molecular phylogenetics and evolution of dragonflies. Thomas draws from his field and lab experiences, as well as from his experience in curriculum design to help make biology more relevant, tangible and engaging for his students.