Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Award

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The Award

Outstanding Earth Science Teacher (OEST) awards are given for "exceptional contributions to the stimulation of interest in the Earth Sciences at the pre-college level." Any teacher or other K-12 educator who covers a significant amount of earth science content with their students is eligible. Ten national finalists are selected, one from each NAGT regional section. Some sections also recognize state winners. Individuals may apply themselves or nominate a colleague for the award.

The Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Awards program was adopted by NAGT in 1971. Devised to honor pre-college teachers of earth science, the program has the following specific objectives:

  • Identify excellence in teaching
  • Appropriately recognize and reward excellence in teaching
  • Stimulate higher levels of teaching performance
  • Establish NAGT as a strong support organization for pre-college education, and
  • Via active statewide and sectional programs, build a solid state, regional, and national liaison with administrators of pre-college earth science education.

Related Links

Information for Section Winners

You should expect to receive these perks over the months following the announcement of the award winners. In addition to the awards listed above, awardees receive a complimentary luncheon ticket to the GSA Award Luncheon, if attending the GSA Connects Annual Meeting. Recipient information will also be published in the fall edition of In The Trenches.

Award Recipients

2023 Section & State Recipients

Read bios for the 2023 Section and State Winners.

Section Winners

  • Central Section: Kate Krischke-Grobart
  • Eastern Section: David R. Amidon
  • Far Western Section: No Award in 2023
  • Midcontinent Section: No Award in 2023
  • New England Section: Sarah F. Faulkner
  • North Central Section: No Award in 2023
  • Pacific Northwest Section: Hillary Brown
  • Southeastern Section: Tammie Hodnett Marlow
  • Southwest Section: No Award in 2023
  • Texas Section: No Award in 2023

State Winners

  • Alabama: Scott Coonfare
  • Florida: Katherine Stoltz
  • Georgia: Nicole Marte
  • Indiana: Jon Schrage
  • Iowa: Mallory Wills-Howe
  • Louisiana: Lacey Hoosier
  • Minnesota: Melissa (Missie) Olson
  • Michigan: Andy Epton
  • Mississippi: Tammie Hodnett Marlow
  • New Hampshire: Michele Cusack
  • New York: Joseph C. Perry
  • North Carolina: Charlene Horton
  • South Carolina: Amy Umberger
  • Tennessee: Gregory Smith

OEST State and Section winners are strongly encouraged to take an active role in NAGT, NESTA, and all other organizations that support the OEST Award Program.

Make a Nomination

To nominate a teacher for this award, please complete the online nomination form associated with the nominee's Section, linked below. You can find information on which section you live in by checking out the Regional Sections. Nominations are due by March 31st. Nominations may be submitted at any time during the year.

Nomination Forms and Contact for Each Section

National Program Contact: