Tag Archives: Science Teachers

NYC STEM educator Jessica Boyle garners a 2024 Sloan Award

Posted on by

For her outstanding work in the classroom, New York City STEM teacher Jessica Boyle has garnered a 2024 Sloan Award for Excellence in Teaching Science and Mathematics. Photo Credit: City of New York

When New York City science teacher Jessica Boyle leads her students in their hands-on study of human cardiovascular systems, diseases, and other scientific investigations, she is creating an exciting world of critical thinking, rigor, and experimentation that prepares her students for college and career readiness. For this outstanding work, Jessica has garnered a 2024 Sloan Award for Excellence in Teaching Science and Mathematics.

Jessica’s passion for science can be traced all the way back to her own days as a student, when she attended a lecture by world-renowned anthropologist and primatologist Jane Goodall. That lecture triggered Jessica’s interest in physical anthropology. As a result, she completed courses in osteology, human genetics, and archeology, and even participated in a dig site in Illinois during her summers. Eventually, this passion led Jessica to complete her Master’s degree in Anthropology at New York University, an internship with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for New York City, and an internship as an anthropological consultant at New York University’s College of Dentistry.

When Jessica accepted a position as a science education teacher in 2006, she was assigned to instruct courses in biology, earth science, forensic anthropology, and anatomy and physiology. As an after school program, she introduced curriculum in human biology and disease. In 2013, Jessica was hired by the Knowledge and Power Preparatory Academy, where she served as a member of the Instructional Leadership Team, the Chair of the Science Department, and a Model Teacher. She also served as a mentor with the Mentoring in Medicine program where she helped under-represented students enter the medical field.

For her outstanding work as a STEM (Science, Technology, engineering, and Mathematics) educator, Jessie is one of seven educators who have garnered a 2024 Sloan Award for Excellence in Teaching Science and Mathematics. The award spotlights teachers who go above and beyond to help their students succeed, inspiring young people to excel in science and mathematics and to pursue careers in related fields. Each recipient receives a crystal trophy and a cash prize of $5,000. An additional $2,000 goes to the school’s Science or Mathematics Department. To learn more, click on this link to the Sloan Awards.

TX teacher Lauren Parker participates in NASA Embedded Teacher program

Posted on by

Junior high school science teacher Lauren Parker inspires her students at Fort Worth Academy in Texas. She was one of eight teachers selected to participate in a NASA Embedded Teacher program. Through this program, she serves as a Limitless Space Institute Educator Ambassador, an International Space Station (ISS) National Lab Space Station Ambassador, and a Tony Space Foundation Teacher Liaison. Lauren is also a winner of the Excellence in Education Award.

Lauren earned her Bachelor’s degree in Science Education in 2006 and her Master’s degree in Middle School Education in 2007, both from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. She has taught at Fort Worth Academy for the past nine years.

Science teacher Nichole Hantsch named finalist for NY 2024 Teacher of the Year

Posted on by

Middle school science teacher Nichole Hantsch has been named one of three finalists for 2024 New York State Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: Fox 40.

Many excellent classroom teachers work in public schools in New York City. One of these is Nichole Hantsch, a science educator. She has been named one of three finalists for 2024 New York State Teacher of the Year by the New York State Education Department.

Nichole teaches physical science and agriculture to eighth graders at Chenango Forks Middle School in the Chanson Forks School District. She has been at the school for eight years now. In all, her career as an educator spans 17 years.

As a science teacher, Nichole says she is passionate about getting her students excited about science. She believes science education is critical in helping students understand modern advancements such as those taking place in the fields of medicine, technology, power, environmental sciences, and more. But ultimately, her goal is to inspire her students to love science as much as she does.

Furthermore, Nichole says collaboration in the classroom teaches her students important life skills that go beyond science. “I regularly remind them like, you don’t have to be best friends,” she declares, “but we do have to work together. We have to help each other.”

Nichole earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology in 2005, her Master’s degree in Teaching in 2007, and a second Master’s in Biology in 2008, all from Binghamton University, a public institution located in Binghamton, New York.

Dr. Marvin Nottingham: Teacher, coach, administrator, WW II hero

Posted on by

Educator and administrator Dr. Marvin Nottingham was also a World War II veteran who saw battle at Iwo Jima. Photo Credit:

Many outstanding classroom teachers have served their country admirably in the military . One of these is Dr. Marvin Nottingham, a teacher and administrator originally from Wyoming who was also a World War II veteran.

Marvin was born on August 16, 1925, in Sheridan, Wyoming, and raised in Big Horn. As a young man, he worked on a cattle ranch in his native state. After his high school graduation, he served in the US military in the 133rd CB Battalion (this unit is often called the SeaBees). He fought valiantly on Iwo Jima, where he was a D8 bulldozer operator, pulling boats and troops out of the water surrounding the island. For his actions in that battle, Marvin earned a Bronze Star for his valor. In fact, until his passing, he was one of the last survivors of that fated battle.

Once he was discharged from the service, Marvin earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley. He earned his Master’s degree from San Diego University and his PhD in Education from the University of Southern California (USC) in 1970.

Marvin inaugurated his career in education when he accepted a position as a teacher of chemistry, physics, and math. He also coached basketball. He spent 11 years in the classroom. Then he was promoted to the position of Vice Principle at Coronado High School in San Diego. He then went on to serve as a principal at both Hemet High School and Palm Springs High School. He also served as an Area Superintendent for the Norwalk—La Mirada school District. He worked his way up to a position as a professor of educational administration at USC, and then served as Department Chair at the University of Idaho at Moscow. His career as an educator spanned 40 years.

After his retirement, Marvin continued to contribute to the educational community. He served as the President of the Educational Foundation and as the President of the Retired Teachers Association. He also devoted nearly 20 years to the Valley Restart Homeless Shelter.

During his lifetime, Marvin authored three books. His first two books, Once a Cowboy and Victor and Connections to Pacific Spiny Lobster: Tales of Land and Sea, were memoirs, and his third book, Principles for Principals, described his educational pedagogy.

Marvin Nottingham passed away on March 26, 2024, in Hemet, California. He was 98 years old. He was interred in Riverside National Cemetery, a burial place reserved for veterans, in Riverside, California.

To learn more about this Chalkboard Champion, click on this link to an article about him published in the Cowboy State Daily in 2023.

Science teacher Bryn Zingrebe honored by Illinois State Board of Education

Posted on by

High school science teacher Bryn Zingrebe has been named to the Illinois State Board of Education Teacher of the Year Cohort as the 2024 Outstanding Early Career Educator. Photo Credit: The Chicago Reporter

Congratulations to secondary school science teacher Bryn Zingrebe. She has been named to the Illinois State Board of Education Teacher of the Year Cohort as a 2024 Outstanding Early Career Educator.

Bryn currently teaches at Evergreen Park Community High School. There she instructs courses in Advanced Placement and Honors Chemistry. She also serves as the Assistant Cross Country Coach, the Assistant Track and Field Coach for both boys and girls, a BRIDGE Teacher and Mentor, and Leadership Sponsor. This is her fourth year at the school.

“Learning from my students has been one of the most enjoyable and rewarding aspects of teaching at EPCHS,” declares Bryn. “My students share new knowledge with me every day. Listening and learning from my knowledgeable teens has led to improvement in my character, a deeper understanding of effective teaching techniques, and has improved my ability to deliver science content in a meaningful and relevant way,” she continues.

Bryn earned her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Illinois State University in 2020. She completed a Master’s degree in Teaching and Learning with a concentration in English as a Second Language from the University of St. Francis in 2023. She is currently working on a Master’s degree in Chemistry from the Ohio University.

Bryn is one of 15 teachers throughout the state of Illinois who were selected to the cohort, according to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). The ISBE annually selects Regional Teachers of the Year, an Outstanding Early Career Educator and Bilingual, Special Education, and Early Childhood Teachers of the Year to be members of the Illinois Teachers of the Year Cohort.