Local teacher receives national science award

A local teacher is being recognized for exceptional science education.

In April, the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) announced the winners of the 2019 NSTA Teacher Awards program, which honors K–12 teachers, principals, professors and other science education professionals for their outstanding work and achievement in science education. The awards were presented at a banquet and ceremony on Friday, April 12 at the NSTA National Conference on Science Education in St. Louis, Missouri.

Ekalaka Public Schools science teacher Chioko Hammel was one of only 17 teachers nationwide who received the Maitland P. Simmons Memorial Award for New Teachers of Science in 2019.

“Through their hard work and dedication, these outstanding educators are making a difference,” said NSTA President Christine Royce. “They make science come alive for their students and help them realize the importance of science in their daily lives.”

The Maitland P. Simmons Memorial Award provides selected K-12 teachers who are in their first five years of teaching with funds to attend the annual National Conference on Science Education. Recipients will be mentored, tracked, and provided with continuing opportunities for meaningful involvement with NSTA and its activities.

The award consists of $1,000 to be used to attend the annual national conference. Recipients are invited to attend a variety of workshops and presentations that are of particular interest to new teachers.

To be eligible, a teacher must have taught less than five years full-time at the time of application and be an NSTA member in good standing, and reside in an NSTA district.

The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), founded in 1944 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, is the largest organization in the world committed to promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA’s current membership of 50,000 includes science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in and committed to science education.