Janet Harver Belval
South Windsor High School, Tolland, CT

I teach AP Biology at South Windsor, Connecticut, High School, where I have taught since 2000 and was the Teacher of the Year for the district in 2016-17. I also teach Allied Health, a course I developed at the school in 2016, which gives students an insight into various career paths in the health care field. I coach the South Windsor Science Olympiad team, which was the Connecticut state champion in 2016 and finished second in the state in 2017, and the South Windsor girls tennis team, which had an undefeated regular season in 2017. Prior to teaching at SWHS, I taught science for two years at Vernon, Connecticut, Central Middle School. I have a B.S. in Zoology from the University of Massachusetts, a Master’s in Public Administration from Pace University, a degree in nursing from Pace University, and a Master’s in education from Sacred Heart University. Prior to becoming a teacher, I worked as a registered nurse at Hartford Hospital.

Don Pinkerton
Revere High School, Revere, MA

I teach at Revere High School in Revere, Massachusetts, just north of Boston. I am about to begin my ninth year as a teacher, after making a career change in 2009. I love teaching and I wish I had started much earlier in life. For me, successful teaching is all about building relationships with students, and being passionate about the subject you teach. At our school, we focus on four “R’s”: Rigor, Relationships, Relevance, and Resilience. Many of our students come from disadvantaged backgrounds, or are new immigrants to our country. Most of our students suffer from poverty and a lack of resources at home. But all of them have the same potential as students in our wealthier districts, and I am proud to have watched many of them do great things with their lives. I owe debt of gratitude to my students who have shown me what is possible

Joshua Tennant
Wall Township High School Wall, Township, NJ

After receiving my BS in Biology Secondary Education from The College of New Jersey, I began my career in Morristown, NJ before returning home to teach at Wall High School in Wall, NJ. I have taught 7th grade life science, college prep. and honors biology, as well as various marine biology courses.

I am a strong advocate for making life science relatable to students local environment and health. Since being at the shore offers a unique opportunity to instill marine and coastal stewardship, I partnered with InfoAge Science History Museum, a local nonprofit, and created the Marine & Environmental Science Station to extend my reach beyond just my school. I am also involved with the Biology Teachers Association of NJ to foster professional growth for life science educators in the state.

My wife and I have three rescued dogs and in our free time we enjoy traveling, working around the house, and relaxing at the beach.

Jeffrey McGowan
South Fayette High School, McDonald, PA

I received my B.S. and M.S. degrees in Animal Science from West Virginia University, served as a teaching assistant in Animal Physiology at Pennsylvania State University where I first discovered my passion for teaching, and obtained my teacher certification in Biology from California University of PA. I began my career at South Fayette School District in 2003 teaching Biology, Honors Biology, AP Biology and Forensic Science, and have also served as the science department chair, Western Pennsylvania Mathematics & Science Partnership Teacher Leader, Classrooms for the Future Grant writing team member, new teacher mentor and Criminal Science Club sponsor. I also serve as an Advanced Placement Biology Exam Reader, College Board Advanced Placement Consultant, and I am also a National Board Certified Teacher of Biology. I personally feel that there is no better nor more important profession than being a life science teacher.

Kasi Daniel,
Landstown High School, Virginia Beach, VA

As I embark upon my 24th year of teaching biology, I reflect back on how education has changed during the last two plus decades. My role now is more of a “biology coach” and facilitator and my classroom is one of increased collaboration, allowing for student discourse and discovery. However, one thing has remained steadfast in my approach to teaching since year one and that is my focus on building relationships with my students. From day 1, I get to learn who my students are as people. I truly believe that students will only learn from those that they feel a connection to. I strive to be open with them and listen to them. I believe strongly that most of my students would agree that I am incredibly passionate about what I do and they understand why I teach; It is my calling.

Michele Koehler
Riverside Brookfield High School, Riverside, IL

In 1998, I graduated from Western Illinois University with a Masters in Biology Education. After college, I began my full-time teaching career at Mother Guerin High School in River Grove, where I spent one year before returning to my alma mater - Morton West High School in Berwyn, Illinois. I spent three years at Morton West teaching Intro to Physical Science and Biology to freshman students. After three years I was recruited by Riverside Brookfield High School where I am currently in my 15th year of teaching. I have taught AP Biology, Honors Biology, and now Anatomy & Physiology. During my time at RB, I have worked hard to continue to build my professional career. I was a member of the BSCS/NABT AP Biology Leadership Academy, participated in running one of the first ever NABT Regional Teacher Academies, I am an Ambassador for HHMI, presenting science curriculum using Biointeractive resources, and I am currently on a curriculum writing team for The College Board working on a new Pre-AP Biology course.

Alyce Myers
Lafayette Jefferson High School, Lafayette, IN

I am honored to be the Indiana Outstanding Biology Teacher of the Year for 2017. I currently teach at Jefferson High School in Lafayette, Indiana. In my 13 years teaching I have taught many life sciences including Anatomy and Physiology and Biology. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Neuroscience (2002) and my M.Ed in Elementary Education (2004) from Lehigh University. After teaching at the elementary level, I became a Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellow and received my M.S. in Biology Education from Purdue University. I have served as Secretary and President of the Indiana Association Biology Teachers and have received several awards and publications through my tenure. Some include: NSTA article entitled Bioethics and the Hunger Games, the Lilly Creative Grant, and the PSFTC K.Schrader Award of Excellence. Through my love of biology, I strive to teach my students to become better individuals through doing and critically thinking about science!

Allison Fuelling
Marshall Public School, Marshall, WI

I am entering my fifteenth year of teaching life science courses at Marshall High School near Madison, Wisconsin. My primary teaching goal is to engage students' curiosity and build their resourcefulness so that they can develop lifelong learning skills. Aside from teaching at the high school, I have served our district as K-6 science specialist and am now beginning a dual role in our district: science teacher and secondary instructional coach. I love the opportunity that NABT provides to connect with other biology teachers and I look forward to continually building my PLN with you all!

Kevin Schneider
Downing Catholic High School, De Moines, IA

Humanity faces many challenges in the 21st century, from global disease epidemics to climate change. Our educational establishments must procure a competent group of emerging leaders to address these issues. A great science teacher can inspire a student's curiosity and love of the natural world. I work with a great team of professionals to design engaging activities where students are evaluating evidence and constructing arguments. Authentic tasks are "hands-on, minds-on" with further application of reading, writing, and mathematics. In my 5 year teaching career, I've been mentored by a caring and dedicated staff. I've learned from these mentors the importance of growth, as I've been performing research at Iowa State University for four consecutive summers and recently completed an MA in Science Education at the University of Northern Iowa. I'm grateful for colleagues who share their wealth of experience, and will do the same as I move forward in my career.

Brittany Roper
Olathe North High School, Lawrence, KS

Ryan Lacson
Greater Ozarks Centers for Advanced Professional Studies, Springfield, MO

I finished my BS in Biology, with an emphasis in Microbiology/Biotechnology, from Missouri State University. Afterward, I chose to pursue education by getting post-baccalaureate teacher certification through MSU. I have had a wide variety of teaching experiences, including teaching in urban, suburban, and rural environments, and includes honor students as the science department chairman to all students as the sole HS science teacher at the school. I’ve since completed my MS in Biology from Washington University in St. Louis, and have been lucky to receive several accolades. These include a 2017 CDC Science Educator Fellowship, the 2015 Science Teachers of Missouri Excellence in HS Teaching Award, the 2013 NESCent/BEACON Evolution Scholar Award, the 2011 NABT Kim Foglia AP Biology Travel Fellowship, and a 2009 NSTA New Science Teacher Academy Fellowship, just to name a few. I have also served as a Reader and Table Leader for the AP Biology exam.

Jeff Peterson
West Central High School, Hartford, SD

Ryan Reardon, Jefferson County International, Baccalaureate Homewood, AL

I have held a variety of positions during my 19-year career in education, and have taught science at the Jefferson County (Alabama) International Baccalaureate (JCIB) School since 2012. I currently teach a combined Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate Biology course for seniors, and Research and Design Principles in Biology for underclassmen.

Regardless of the course title, you will find my and students I deeply engaged in doing science. We work together to execute experiments, collect and analyze data, and communicate valid scientific arguments based on the evidence at hand.

I am a vocal advocate for the integration of mathematics and computer science in science education. In addition to leading workshops at NABT and NSTA national conferences, I serve as a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Biointeractive Teacher Ambassador and as a Professional Technology Educator for PASCO Scientific. I earned the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) for Alabama in 2015.

Denise Thibodeaux
Cathedral High School, Natchez, MS

After earning a BSE in Biology and Chemistry and an MS in Biology from Delta State University, I have been teaching for 24 years. As Science Department Chairperson at Cathedral High School in Natchez, MS, my courses include Biology I, Biology II, Dual Enrollment Anatomy and Physiology through Copiah Lincoln Community College, and Biomedical Research in partnership with the University of Mississippi Medical Center Rural Biomedical Initiative and STEMI (Science Teaching Excites Medical Interest) NIH SEPA grant program. With these courses, we are growing our own physicians and medical professionals in our underserved community.

I have been honored as Cathedral STAR Teacher three times, was a state finalist for the PAEMST Award in 2013, and received the National Science Olympiad Coaching Excellence Award in 2017. I serve on the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Science Teachers Association and am a member of the Mississippi Association of Biology Educators and the Cornell Institute for Biology Teachers.

Rachel Norris
Little Rock Central High School, Little Rock, AR

Jeff Karlin
Lewiston Senior High School, Lewiston, ID

I have taught science for over two decades in north central Idaho and on the southern Oregon coast. I am an advocate of teaching STEM through Project-based Inquiry Learning methods (PBIL). I teach zoology, marine biology, biology and physics at Lewiston High School. I also teach Descriptive Astronomy and Environmental Earth Science through Lewis Clark State College. I am currently a member of two NASA Mars analog field studies. In 2014, I was named NASA FINESSE Research Team Lead Teacher. In 2016 I was named the Field Support Team Lead for NASA BASALT Mars analog deployment missions to both Craters of the Moon (ID), and the Mauna Ulu volcano (HI). For the past of four years, I have served as Lead Mentor for the Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholar Academy. I am an avid wildlife artist, sculptor, musician, proud husband to Holly, and father of five, ranging in ages 1-22.

Michelle Smith
Spring Creek Middle School, Spring Creek, NV

Hi, I’m Michelle Smith and I teach 7th grade biology in a rural area of Nevada called Spring Creek. I went to school for biology at the University of Utah and worked in the medical field until my daughter was born. I then went back to school to earn my teaching degree. This is my 15th year teaching biology and I love what I teach and enjoy the kids at the middle school very much. I believe in a hands-on approach to teaching science and the importance of connecting learning to real life. Taking my students on field trips, serving as our school’s science fair representative, and participating in professional organizations are some of the ways I encourage science in our community. I believe that our kids need a solid background in science in order to be informed voters, educated workers, and knowledgeable adults. My goal is to prepare all students for subsequent years of study and help them become problem solvers and lifelong learners.

Dani Bainsmith
Northwest Middle School, Salt Lake City, UT

I am currently in my 5th year of teaching integrated science at Northwest Middle School. One of my greatest passions is enjoying the natural wonders the world has to offer, and through teaching, I get to share that creativity and enthusiasm. Northwest is one of the most diverse schools in our state, and it has been such an honor to inspire STEM mindsets in students of all backgrounds, and to use Biology as a starting place of common ground. I earned bachelor degrees from the University of Utah in both Biology and Environmental Studies, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Westminster College.

Kim Parfitt
Central High School, Cheyenne, WY

I’m committed to science as a verb. Joy, wonder, story, and struggle are the tenets of my classroom. Over the years, students have studied the genetic relationships of aspen groves in response to climate changes, reared game birds to help restore a prairie preserve, and investigated mule deer migration. I’ve coached a SMART team and state champion Science Olympiad teams. I received the 2013 Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching. As a Fund for Teacher Fellow, I studied lions and cattle grazing in Kenya. I am honored to be an HHMI/BioInteractive Ambassador and a lab classroom host. I am National Board Certified in biology. At Cheyenne’s Central High School, I have taught astronomy, botany and zoology, Honors Biology, AP Biology, and AP Environmental Science. Prior to becoming a public school teacher, I spent 17 years working in environmental conservation.