2010 Awards
I would like to take a moment to introduce myself as I am serving as your ISTA Awards Chair. My name is Tara McDonald, and I teach 6th grade science at Minooka Intermediate School in Minooka. In the paragraphs to follow, I will share you some highlights from the 2008-2009 ISTA Awards cycle.
This was a very exciting year for ISTA Awards with many new honors and developments. First, the Awards Committee selected five talented teachers from across the State to receive the ISTA ExxonMobil Outstanding Teacher of Science Award in May. The teachers completed an application and submitted letters of recommendation along with artifacts from their classroom. Each recipient received $1000. Second, the Committee selected five up-and-coming science stars for the ISTA New Teacher of the Year Award in July. These teachers were nominated by colleagues or administrators and received $400. A biography of each of the ten 2008-2009 ISTA awardees is posted in the awards section of our website. Finally, science teachers presented 58 students with Outstanding Science Student medallions and certificates.
I would like to strongly encourage all members to apply for ISTA Awards. We know there are some great teachers in our membership, please share your efforts and accomplishments with us. It would be our pleasure to honor you! If any prospective members wish to apply for an award…what a great reason to join ISTA!
We also want to encourage you to utilize the outstanding science student medallion program which is supported by the Illinois Petroleum Resources Board. ISTA members can request one free medallion and certificate per year for a student award presentation.
Please note that the 2009-2010 ISTA awards cycle will begin earlier in 2010. The new application deadlines are:
- Outstanding Teacher Award – February 1, 2010 (See Below)
- New Teacher Award - May 1, 2010 (See Below)
Medallions should be requested at least three weeks before the planned presentation.
Many thanks to ExxonMobil and the Illinois Petroleum Resources Board for funding these awards and for their commitment to ISTA’s mission to promote science teaching and learning throughout Illinois.
For further information about the awards ISTA offers including applications, deadlines and awardees, please explore the awards section of our website or e-mail me at taramcdonald@gmail.com.
Looking forward to seeing your award application soon!
Tara McDonald
ISTA Awards Chair
2009-2010 ISTA/ExxonMobil Outstanding Teacher of Science
The Illinois Science Teachers Association with the generous support of ExxonMobil announces the 2009 - 2010 ISTA/ExxonMobil Outstanding Teacher of Science Awards Program. Applications will be accepted from grades 7-12 teachers of science who have demonstrated “extraordinary accomplishments” in the field of science teaching. (ISTA plans to recognize grade K-6 teachers in the 2010-2011 school year.)
The 2009-2010 program consists of up to seven one thousand dollar prizes. A $1000 award may be presented to one grade 7-12 teacher of science from each of the seven ISTA regions in the state of Illinois. Previous winners are not eligible.
The awards are intended to recognize “extraordinary accomplishment” in the field of science teaching. Applicants must provide evidence that demonstrates accomplishments that go beyond normal classroom teaching. Descriptions of the previous two years awardees and their achievements are available online (see above).
Criteria for consideration include:
- Current ISTA membership
- Full time teaching assignment
- Teaching assignment in the ISTA Region for which the application is submitted
- Written narrative (maximum of 500 words) describing the teacher’s “extraordinary accomplishments” in the field of science teaching
- Evidence that supports the teacher’s description of “extraordinary accomplishments” in the field of science teaching
- Two letters of support from individuals who can attest to the impact of the “extraordinary accomplishments” in the field of science teaching
- A completed application form
with required supplementary materials submitted on paper and by US Postal Service postmarked by February 1, 2010 to:
- ISTA Awards Chair Tara McDonald
Minooka Intermediate School
305 Church Street, Minooka, IL 60447
- ISTA Awards Chair Tara McDonald
Winners will be notified in March, 2010.
For more information contact:
taracmcdonald@gmail.com
Application Form:
2009-2010 ISTA New Teacher of the Year Award
The Illinois Science Teachers Association with the generous support of ExxonMobil announces the 2009 - 2010 ISTA New Teacher of the Year Awards Program. Applications will be accepted from grades K-12 teachers of science in their 1st through 4th year of teaching.
The goal of this award is to recognize “new” teachers for their excellence in facilitating science learning in their classes. This award is to encourage some of the bright, up-and-coming teachers to continue to strive to be the best teachers that they can be.
Requirements:
- Must be a teacher with her/his initial certification
- Encouraged to be a member of ISTA (either student or teacher category)
- Must be nominated by an ISTA member teacher or school administrator
- Currently teaching in the field of science (can be teaching science in an elementary setting)
- Completed nomination form and biography highlighting innovative teaching experiences, exemplary service, professional development activities, and trend setting practices in the field of science
- This is a one-time award per awardee.
Awardees:
- Honor 3 to 5 teachers with initial certificate in the field of science from throughout the State of Illinois
- Awardees honored with a one-year membership to ISTA
- Recognition in ISTA journal Spectrum
- Recognition at ISTA Convention Luncheon
- Will receive Teacher of Science “Idea Pack”
- Certification of Recognition
Timeline:
- A completed application form with required supplementary materials submitted on paper or by email by May 1, 2010 to:
Tara McDonald
ISTA Awards Chair
Minooka Intermediate School
305 Church Street, Minooka, IL 60447
taracmcdonald@gmail.com
Application:
ISTA/IPRB Outstanding Student Medallions and Certificates
The Illinois Science Teachers Association with the generous support of the Illinois Petroleum Resources Board provides ISTA members with one free Olympic-style medallion and a certificate per year for presentation to an outstanding science student. These presentations are often made at student award assemblies in the late spring, but they can be requested throughout the year. Additional medallions are available for $15 each, payable by check in advance. Please request medallions at least three weeks in advance of the presentation date. ISTA requests teachers email a photo or news clipping to support this recognition program. Request your outstanding student medallion and certificate from:
- Pam Spaniol
ISTA Membership Secretary
PO Box 312
Sherman, IL 62684
Pamela.spaniol@yahoo.com