2022–2023 Executive Board SlateThe Science Teachers Association of Texas (STAT) Nominating Committee has selected the following candidates to serve on the 2022–2023 STAT Executive Board. Read the slated candidates' bios and position statements below.
View the Full 2022–2023 STAT Executive Board SlateLearn More About the Nomination/Election ProcessPresident-Elect
Bio: My journey as an educator began in 2010 at Texas A&M University where I received my bachelor’s degree in physics and completed the aggieTEACH program to gain my teaching certification. My first years in the classroom were at Sherman High School in Sherman ISD where I developed a passion for teaching students and helping others do the same. In the years that followed my first CAST presentation, I became involved with PTRA (Physics Teaching Resource Agents), which is the professional development program of the AAPT (American Association of Physics Teachers). This organization has allowed me to participate in PD for physics teachers from Sacramento, CA, to Washington, DC. I have now been on multiple committees for AAPT, including the Nominating Committee for the association. I received the inaugural Doc Brown Futures Award for “early-career members who demonstrate excellence in their contributions to AAPT and physics education” as a result of my work with AAPT. At the state level, my position with TSAAPT (Texas Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers) coincided with the recent TEKS revision process. I coordinated the response by TSAAPT to the workgroups initial drafts and testified in front of the SBOE to fight for changes in the standards referencing quantum physics. Our success will lead to an expansion of quantum education for the students taking physics. In this effort, I am now involved with a National Science Foundation-funded grant program, Quantum for All, working to help teachers meet the future challenges related to quantum education. As a member of the STAT Executive Board, I have helped foster a stronger connection between all of the affiliate organizations representing various content areas while providing worthwhile content for STAT members. These efforts saw the creation of the “Funny You Should Think That” web series to help educators with concepts that can easily produce misconceptions with students. Position Statement: So much of who I am as an educator I owe to STAT. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to begin attending CAST my first year of teaching and have not missed one in the past 11 years. If it weren’t for the people I have met while attending CAST, I would have become a much different teacher. It is only right that I do what I can to give back to the organization that has given me so much. Maybe I can help foster a new generation of first-year educators by putting them on similar paths of discovery, challenging them to be the best they can. An issue I am having while sitting down to write this statement is that the goals I have for this association have already been laid out in the strategic plan recently adopted by the Executive Board. One of the task force responsibilities in my current role on the EB was to work through the material gathered on individual board members’ (including the Affiliate board) thoughts, ideas, and goals for STAT and formulate a plan of action for the association. What we created lays out a plan for the association designed to grow the influence and relevance of STAT for years to come. What I will do is to reaffirm my belief that the strategic plan is strong and provides many ways for STAT to meet the needs of our members and the students learning science in Texas. CAST is an incredible event that not only helps teachers find high-quality resources, but also feeds the soul of the science educator community in ways that are immeasurable. If STAT can find a way to replicate this through smaller, more focused, regional events, the association will begin to be relevant more than one weekend a year. That being said, from my perspective behind the scenes, I know what STAT has accomplished with respect to the TEKS revision process and the inclusion of the more current research on teaching and learning science in the classroom, The Framework for K–12 Science Education. STAT definitely has a role to play in representing the needs of the science education community to TEA and the SBOE, and members need to be aware of what the association can do for them beyond the annual conference. Working with other members of the science education community, such as teacher preparation programs (whether university/college based or alternative certification), affiliate organizations, region centers, and other related associations, may be the only way to reach every science educator, whether they are a member of STAT or not, and help them provide a high-quality education to their students. In the short amount of time that I have had the pleasure of working with the other volunteer Board Members and the STAT staff, I have seen how decisions made by the board can have a profound impact on not only the science educator community as a whole, but also the individual teacher in the classroom. Secretary
Bio: I graduated from Texas Tech University in 2011 with a B.S. in chemistry with a minor in biology. It was toward the end of my senior year that I started working at CISER (Center for the Integration of Science Education and Research) as part of a Howard Hughes Medical Institute grant. While working at CISER, I worked with students in the Lubbock area. I also helped preservice teachers with best practices for the science classroom. Specifically, I helped teach a science methods class for middle school teachers. Initially, I worked on a post-baccalaureate program to obtain my teaching certification but later switched course to complete my Master’s in Secondary Education with an emphasis in chemistry. As part of my master’s program, I spent time in a Title I campus looking at the impact of educational technology in the classroom. In 2013, I moved to Central Texas where I began teaching in Bastrop, Texas. Since then, I’ve stayed in the Central Texas area but have been in Pflugerville ISD for the past 7 years. During these 7 years, I’ve served on countless committees, been a class sponsor (Class of 2019, 2020, and 2024), PLC lead (IPC and later chemistry), written curriculum for the district (chemistry), served as the Digital Literacy Lead (2-year term, starting in 2021), and led several professional development sessions. In that time, I’ve maintained membership status within STAT and NSTA. I’ve also presented at both the state and national levels. Position Statement: When I first served on the Executive Board for STAT it was to become more involved. I felt like I was at a time in my career where I was ready to give back to the organization that helped inspire me in the classroom. I had a desire to help teachers feel empowered to teach their students science in the classroom. Since then, I’ve seen the importance of being a reliable resource and advocate for science teachers. In the past 2 years, education has drastically changed. We’ve survived a pandemic, virtual teaching, hybrid teaching, in-person teaching, all of the above! Teachers need to be celebrated. They need to be encouraged. They need to know that the work they are doing is valuable. This is part of the work I’ve already been doing. Giving a voice to teachers around the state. Celebrating teachers from various regions, backgrounds, grade levels, and teaching assignments has been an honor. In addition to being celebrated, teachers need to have a place they can turn to when they need help. When I first started teaching, my mentor teacher told me that if I could make it past year 5, I was meant to be a teacher. Now, 10 years later, that is something that continues to stick with me. If we can get teachers past year 5, they are more likely to remain in teaching. Preservice teachers and new teachers, even second-career teachers, are all groups of teachers that are in need of support. By becoming the leaders in science education, STAT is in a position to offer the support that is needed. Now more than ever, there is a need for quality science education resources. With the adoption of the new TEKs and SEPs, science teachers across the state are going to be seeking excellent, engaging, and equitable lessons. There is also a demand for lessons around DEI in the classroom. There is an opportunity to fill a need that veteran and new teachers are going to be looking for. It is with these two objectives in mind that I’m excited about the future of STAT! There is a great opportunity to continue building on the foundation that has already been laid. Member-at-Large
Bio: I see the world through the lens of science, and my goal as an educator is to inspire others to become engaged and connected to the world around them. My position as a teacher educator, teacher mentor, and curriculum developer allows me to directly influence developing minds and how they view the world. Through this role, I guide teachers and their curriculum to ensure students make and evaluate scientific arguments, collaboratively work to develop scientific and research skills, investigate laboratory questions—all to better understand scientific concepts and the world around them. My collaborative projects include the Literacy Design Project (Gates Foundation), fellowships with NASA, SETI, NOAA, the Toyota Foundation, and Fulbright Exchange. I work with and champion schools of students that underperform and are frequently overlooked. I began teaching through Teach for America and have focused on disadvantaged students throughout my educational career. I also am passionate about creating and sharing science to a wider audience than the classroom. I love presenting at CAST and have shared lessons on investigating ocean acidification, creating an inexpensive cell collection utilizing petri dishes, investigating student samples of writing and research, or a cartoon series illustrating the Texas biology standards. I also create opportunities for students to learn outside the classroom, such as a dynamic PTA-sponsored Family STEM Night for an elementary school in my district. As a science writer and artist, I work to contribute to the public understanding of science through blogs and cartoons. Cartoons like “What’s in a Name” or “Adventures in a Blue World” translate scientific knowledge, research, and experiences to a wider audience. My cartoon and blog audience extends beyond the classroom and is my way to bring science to everyone—and create engaged, curious, and connected learners. Position Statement: I am passionate about creating and supporting informal science learning experiences for students and educators. Research indicates that student learning slows during summer recess and is compounded for students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds and minorities (Alexander et al., 2007, Chambers, 2009). These gaps are broadened by COVID, absences, and school closures (Dorn et al., 2020), creating a critical gap in learning. Profound gaps in students’ education, the current state of teacher education, and shortfalls with staffing qualified individuals in our classrooms critically impact students who seek STEM careers and the industries themselves. Informal science experiences provide an opportunity to enrich curriculum, change beliefs and ideas about STEM through real-world experiences (Martin, 2004), influence both student perception of science and their careers (Roberts et al., 2018), and provide a means for peer social interactions and meaningful connections and meaning (Johri & Olds, 2011). Much of the research I cited above focuses on student informal learning experiences; I am driven to create teacher informal learning experiences. My goals for our organization are to develop mini CAST conferences, build partnerships with informal science associations across Texas, and organize excursions, camps, and trips that would extend, award, and celebrate the advancement of science beyond the classroom. Finally, I am passionate about illustrating science, STEM, and related learning through cartooning—while on the board I will document and share with our membership a “cartoon a month.” Member-at-Large
Bio: As a visionary educational leader in the school sector with 2 years of administration experience within the School of Science and Technology-Bayshore campus and San Antonio Independent School District, I am well prepared to significantly contribute to your goals in this role. My expertise lies in overseeing areas such as day-to-day operations, curriculum development, community partnership building, and standard setting for both students and staff to realize improved academic performance. From conceptualizing and establishing forward-thinking plans to collaborating with teachers and administrators to achieve consensus across multiple levels, I excel at directing strategic enhancements to drive goal achievement while communicating openly with instructors, staff, and parents. Highlights of my experience include the following:
Position Statement: Sweaty palms, the scent of freshly sharpened pencils, and the feeling of excitement in the air. I have been on stage, so to speak, in public schools for the past 6 years. I have spent these blessed years driving to school, driving from school, attending PTA meetings, sponsoring many successful clubs, coordinating 5K runs, thinking about my students, and dreaming of innovative ways to inspire young minds. I believe with my experience as a teacher and administration, I will be a great leader in my school district with the leadership opportunities I will receive through joining the STAT board. |
Kenric Davies
Christina Hotchkin
Cathrine Prenot
Dominique Janeway
