Past STAT Statewide Award Recipients
Each year, STAT is proud to recognize excellence in and dedication to the field of science education through its annual award program.
Outstanding Science Teacher of the Year Award Recipients
The Outstanding Science Teacher of the Year Awards recognize excellence in science teaching in Texas public, private, or charter schools, and are presented annually.
The awards are presented to STAT members in the following categories:
- Outstanding Elementary Science Teacher of the Year (early childhood–grade 5 or 6, dependent upon the school)
- Outstanding Secondary Science Teacher of the Year (grades 6–12, dependent upon the school)
Outstanding Elementary Science Teacher of the Year Award Recipients
| 2024 |
Amy McElroy, Barbers Hill ISD |
| 2023 |
Amber Chalmers, Lancaster ISD |
Outstanding Secondary Science Teacher of the Year Award Recipients
| 2024 |
Faryal Shaukat, Ed.D., Pasadena ISD |
| 2023 |
Selene Verhofstad, Ph.D., Pasadena ISD |
Previous Outstanding Science Teacher of the Year Awards and Recipients
Prior to 2023, the Outstanding Science Teacher of the Year Award was recognized in four categories—rookie, elementary, middle school, and high school.
Outstanding Rookie Science Teacher of the Year Award Recipients
| 2022 |
Emma Devine, Greenhill School |
| 2021 |
Taylor Morris White, Katy ISD |
| 2020 |
Cheyenne Hunter, Richardson ISD |
| 2018 |
Jessica Lugo, Crosby ISD |
| 2017 |
Charles Zemanek, Nacogdoches ISD |
| 2016 |
Laura Newell, Frisco ISD |
| 2014 |
Amber Payne Burt, Crosby ISD |
| 2012 |
Kelsey Slaughter, Frenship ISD |
| 2011 |
Ashley Ediger, Austin ISD |
| 2010 |
Alicia Jackson, Houston ISD; Sammie Von Hoene, Cypress Fairbanks ISD |
| 2009 |
Thomas Delgado, University of Texas University Charter School District |
| 2007 |
Todd Kagan, Alternative Learning Center, Austin |
Outstanding Elementary Science Teacher of the Year Award Recipients
| 2022 |
Katie Doyle, Flour Bluff ISD |
| 2021 |
Melissa Tollinger, Frisco ISD |
| 2019 |
Charlisa Morrison, Promise Community Schools |
| 2018 |
Vanessa Gonzalez, Alamo Heights ISD |
| 2017 |
Katie Teague, Round Rock ISD |
| 2016 |
Celeste Hanvey, Frisco ISD |
| 2015 |
Toni Worden, Joshua ISD |
| 2014 |
Lisa Baum, Fort Bend ISD |
| 2013 |
Lisa Stewart, Beaumont ISD |
| 2012 |
Jennifer Wright, Beaumont ISD |
| 2011 |
Sharon Yee, Beaumont ISD |
| 2009 |
Michelle Brown, Clear Creek ISD |
| 2008 |
Nancy Gardner, Frisco ISD |
| 2007 |
Michelle Yates, Crowley ISD |
Outstanding Middle School Science Teacher of the Year Award Recipients
| 2022 |
Amanda Canada, Crosby ISD |
| 2021 |
McKinzie Sanders, Lubbock ISD |
| 2020 |
Rebecca Rolater, Pearland ISD/Clear Creek ISD |
| 2019 |
Rebecca Bottin, Plano ISD |
| 2018 |
Kelley Andrews, Richardson ISD
|
| 2017 |
Christina McClain, Frisco ISD |
| 2016 |
Jamie Long, Village Tech Schools |
| 2015 |
Julie Frey, Trinity Valley School |
| 2014 |
Nancy Hicks, Beaumont ISD |
| 2013 |
Dana Northern, Crosby ISD |
| 2012 |
Aimee Ayers, Lubbock ISD |
| 2011 |
Rita Williams, Franklin ISD |
| 2010 |
Melissa Duncan, Frenship ISD |
| 2009 |
MJ Tykoski, Wylie ISD |
| 2008 |
Kathryn Barclay, Fort Bend ISD |
| 2007 |
Jill Bailer, Houston ISD |
Outstanding High School Science Teacher of the Year Award Recipients
| 2022 |
Remelia Arpino, Aldine ISD |
| 2021 |
Sabrina Ewald, Frisco ISD |
| 2019 |
Keisha Kirkwood, Beaumont ISD |
| 2018 |
Ariana Persaud, Crosby ISD |
| 2017 |
Traci Lowes, North East ISD |
| 2016 |
Debra Nolte, Huffman ISD |
| 2015 |
Thomas Delgado III, University of Texas University Charter School System |
| 2014 |
Melissa Gable, Crosby ISD |
| 2013 |
Deborah Armstrong, Fruitvale ISD |
| 2012 |
Lara Holbert, Frenship ISD |
| 2011 |
Kisaundra Harris, Amarillo ISD |
| 2010 |
George Hademenos, Richardson ISD |
| 2009 |
Cynthia Parish, Beaumont ISD |
| 2008 |
Lisa Dalton, Sundown ISD |
| 2007 |
Bradley Neu, Lubbock ISD |
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Distinguished Leadership in Science Education Award Recipients
The Distinguished Leadership in Science Education Award is presented annually and recognizes outstanding support of science education at the district or state level by a nonteaching administrator in early childhood through grade 12, or nontraditional/informal leaders whose work supports science teachers.
| 2024 |
Rocco Williams, Fort Worth ISD |
| 2023 |
Sandra Johnson, Johnson Consulting Service |
| 2022 |
Terry White, Fort Bend ISD |
| 2021 |
Laura Lee McLeod, Frisco ISD |
| 2020 |
Lisa Baum, Holland ISD |
| 2019 |
Jamie Flemmer, Frisco ISD |
| 2018 |
Jason Baughman, Allen ISD |
| 2017 |
Ann Mulvihill, Irving ISD |
| 2016 |
Lora Holt, Anthony ISD |
| 2014 |
Gelyn Cornell, Alief ISD |
| 2013 |
Rick Daniel, McKinney ISD |
| 2012 |
Becky Lindsey, Crosby ISD |
| 2011 |
Denise Skinner, Texarkana ISD |
| 2010 |
Jeri Leonard, Wylie ISD |
| 2009 |
Lisa Leach, Roosevelt ISD |
| 2008 |
Lisa Leach, Roosevelt ISD |
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Gerald Skoog Cup for Outstanding Leadership in Science Teacher Education Recipients
The Gerald Skoog Cup for Outstanding Leadership in Science Teacher Education is presented to a faculty or staff member at a Texas college or university who has demonstrated significant contributions to and leadership in the development of quality science education. The award is named for Dr. Gerald Skoog, the Paul Whitfield Horn Professor Emeritus of Texas Tech University.
| 2022 |
Kelli Allen, University of Texas at Austin |
| 2021 |
Uchenna Emenaha, Ph.D., University of Texas at San Antonio |
| 2020 |
Ratna Narayan, Ph.D., University of North Texas |
| 2018 |
Julie Jackson, Ph.D., Texas State University |
| 2017 |
Karen Jo Matsler, Ed.D., University of Texas at Arlington |
| 2014 |
Andrea Foster, Ph.D., Sam Houston State University |
| 2013 |
Mary Kay Hemenway, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin |
| 2012 |
Louis Jacobs, Ph.D., Southern Methodist University |
| 2011 |
David Lamp, Ph.D., Texas Tech University |
| 2010 |
Peggy Carnahan, Our Lady of the Lake University |
| 2009 |
James Westgate, Ph.D., Lamar University |
| 2007 |
Susan Talkmitt, Texas Tech University |
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Virginia Woods Award for Exceptional Contributions and Leadership in Science Education Recipients
The Virginia Woods Award may be presented in an ongoing recognition of Virginia Woods's contributions to science education in general and to the Science Teachers Association of Texas in particular. It is the highest award STAT can bestow upon a member for contributions to science education. The award is named for Virginia Woods, STAT's longtime executive secretary.
| 2023 |
Donald Burken, Retired |
| 2017 |
Kenn Heydrick, Retired |
| 2016 |
Betty Benjamin, Retired |
| 2014 |
Homa Hill, STAT Past President |
| 2013 |
Sandra West Moody, Texas State University
|
| 2011 |
Patsy Magee, Beaumont ISD |
| 2010 |
Vanessa Westbrook, The Charles A. Dana Center |
| 2009 |
D’Ann Douglas, Beaumont ISD |
| 2008 |
Alton Biggs, Educator, Author, and Science Education Consultant |
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