ISTA Award Winners 2010-2011

AMY BREWER from Lincoln School in Mendota, IL humorously described herself as a “sixth grade science teacher reincarnated into a second grade teacher”.  According to Amy’s principal, students in her classroom experience success due to the various learning styles plus the “students who enter the classroom not interested in science walks out the door passionate about it.”  The key to her success is involving parents through projects, programs and outdoor opportunities.  Projects like Picture Your Scientist featuring students using simple lab equipment to Dinosaur Museum where parents can view classroom “dino digs” and student projects keep parents closely involved.  A parent of one of her students excitedly stated that when her daughter arrived home she immediately started sharing details about the various plants and animals they saw during their nature “scavenger hunt” hike. In addition to emphasizing science in the classroom, every unit during the school year is accompanied by reading stories about the sciences they are studying further enhancing students reading abilities.  In a time when school districts are experiencing enormous budget cuts, Amy has utilized her skills at grant writing to acquire equipment like a kid-friendly digital microscope, straw rocket launcher, human body model and skeleton, a set of dinosaur bones and measuring equipment allowing her to continue to give her students the best science education.  One of Amy’s proudest moments was receiving the State Conservations Teacher of the Year award for making conservation a natural part of her student’s lives.  Exciting both students and parents are one of the many reasons Amy has been so successful.  Congratulations Amy!!

CHRISTINE ISERMANN is a science teacher of a self contained 5^th grade classroom at Kimes Elementary School.  Christine’s goal is to help students retain their natural curiosity and sharpen their sense of wonder by having activities that relate to their everyday lives.  A colleague of Christine’s called her a “master at recognizing teachable moments and incorporating every day science into learning experience.”  With an education background that started with instructing hands-on labs at an air force base in Germany, Christine has honed her skills at making lessons activity based and meaningful to the world around the student.  Currently, her 5^th grade classroom starts the year off with the “I Wonder” unit that focuses on discovering answers to why they should care.  Part of her science program includes developing lab activities around the class’ new reading series in order to fulfill the requirements of “No Child Left Behind”.  Christine has also found ways of further incorporating science into her students’ lives by starting the environmental club “The Green Team”.  The club was involved in planting flower bulbs at the school, creating a prairie garden and raising awareness by selling environmental t-shirts.  Just recently Christine was awarded the LaSalle County ROE Educators Award for 2010 for her continuous campaign to include science at any grade level.  The music to Christine’s ears is hearing her students say “COOL” or “Come look at this!” which reminds her that she is truly keeping that wonder and excitement for science alive.  Congratulations Christine!!

Misty Richmond is a 5^th and 6^th grade science teacher at Agustin Lara Academy in Chicago, IL leading her students to become “Super Scientists” by providing challenges and high expectations.  Misty found while teaching a third grade class that science can easily be incorporated throughout the day.  The third grade science curriculum featured a unit on crayfish which immediately engaged the students to the point that they were cleaning out the tanks.  Her administrators noted her unique usage of science in the classroom and encouraged her to pursue the departmentalized setting in the 5^th and 6^th grade science classes.  In preparation for this new position, Misty attended professional developments and eventually became the profession development leader (PDL) for 6^th grade teachers in the City of Chicago.  Lending her expertise with hands-on curriculum, she has constructed new avenues of learning for colleagues searching for ways to reach their students.   One support letter stated “she is a nurturing mentor who brings out the best in her colleagues as she coaches other(s)”.  Misty also had the opportunity to attend NASA Space Camp for Educators in preparation for teaching astronomy.  Not only did she find it important for continuing education for herself but she could also share new findings with the astronomy club at school.   Her 6^th grade science curriculum currently integrates the use of SMART boards as well as journaling to learn to be more detail oriented and reflective of their work.  Another letter noted “Misty’s teaching richly weaves together science content, ongoing assessment, and literacy opportunities that meet the needs of a wide range of learners in her Chicago Public School (CPS) classroom.”  What a gift the CPS has in Misty!  Keep up the wonderful work and congratulations!

ISTA New Teacher of the Year Award 2010-2011

Libby Kirkland, fourth grade teacher at Brush College Elementary School in Decatur, is in her 3^rd year of teaching and is already displaying strong leadership qualities and innovation in her classroom.  Libby, a hometown product, has a strong history of giving back to her community starting with teaching Animal Crackers sessions for 3 – 5 year olds at Scovill Zoo. From this early experience, Libby developed a strong work ethic which enables her to work closely with colleagues building a mutual respect and congenial work atmosphere.  Libby has integrated technology into the curriculum by initiating small group instruction to allow student centered learning with interactive whiteboard activities. Her class has become a model for other teachers to observe how easily technology and be worked into classroom studies.  She has also presented an original classroom investigation which combined inquiry science and the interactive whiteboard at the 2010 ISTA conference.  .Also working closely with a group of scientists from Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM) a garden project was developed to incorporate life science, as well as technology and career information.  Monthly, scientists from ADM visit her class and present on topics such as genetic engineering of plants, measurement, how products manufactured locally are used worldwide, and career opportunities. Libby also actively seeks professional development by attending numerous conferences such as Illinois Science Teacher Association conferences, MAPS (mentors and protégé support), and National Science Teachers Association Conference.  Congratulations Libby!!! You are definitely paving a new path for science learning.

Corrina Nemec from James Monroe Elementary School in Chicago, spent her first year teaching 8^th grade science as well as participating in a special program at DePaul University.  The supervising instructor of the program, Wendy Johnson, Ph.D., was so impressed with Corrina’s enthusiasm and effectiveness that she had to constantly remind herself that Corrina was just a first year teacher.  DePaul instructional science coach, Carla Shortino, said, “…Corrina demonstrates a strong foundation in her knowledge of science concepts...and (a)s she works with students … it is clear she understands deeply the topics she is teaching.” Corrina was always prompt with her planning ideas and actively sought out feedback from her mentors.  This gave her the chance to reflect constructively on effectiveness of her teaching practice and after spending a summer planning for her future position at Monroe, she immediately took lead responsibility of student science projects of the school’s science fair.  Heather Patay, director of MSTQE praises Corrina noting that she was an honor graduate with a minor in math, science and technology then using her knowledge to work full time with the Upward Bound Program for minority students from high need and hard to staff schools.  In that time with Upward Bound she introduced her students to new learning experience in lab work then followed up with them at their respective high schools.  Patay notes, “…she is truly dedicated to providing high quality science instruction for the students who are most in need.”  Congratulations Corrina on your outstanding first year!!