2024 Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Award Winners

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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. Eight national finalists are selected, one from each NAGT regional section. Some sections also recognize state or province winners. Individuals may apply themselves or nominate a colleague for the award.

Section Winners

Bryon Free - Pacific Northwest, Oregon

Bryon J. Free is an accomplished geologist, passionate educator, and dedicated leader in the field of science and engineering geology. With a Master of Science in Fluvial Geomorphology and a Bachelor of Science in Geology, Bryon brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his teaching role at Scio High School in Scio, Oregon. As a science teacher, he manages and delivers instruction to diverse classes, including Physics, Chemistry, and cross-listed courses in Geology, providing students with opportunities to earn college credit during high school.

Bryon's teaching philosophy centers on project-based learning methodologies, fostering hands-on exploration and inquiry among his students. He believes in tailoring differentiated assignments to individual learning needs to enhance student engagement and facilitate a deeper understanding of scientific concepts. Bryon's commitment to student success extends beyond the classroom as he collaborates with colleagues and Linn-Benton Community College instructors to align curriculum and enhance student learning outcomes.

In addition to his teaching role, Bryon has served on the board of the Association of Engineering Geologists, where he contributed his expertise in engineering geology and data analysis. He also quantified channel responses to the Elwha dam removal for his master's thesis, demonstrating his dedication to cutting-edge research in the field. Bryon's fieldwork experiences have significantly influenced his teaching approach, emphasizing the importance of real-world applications and fieldwork in scientific study.

His work as an Associate Geologist at the Oregon Department of Transportation involved investigations for the unstable slopes program, where he identified and mapped unstable slopes impacting the Oregon Highway system. His contributions have been instrumental in the development of conceptual mitigation plans for landslides and rockfalls.

Bryon's passion for the outdoors, reflected in his hobbies of backcountry skiing and mountaineering, informs his teaching approach, emphasizing the importance of real-world applications and fieldwork in scientific study. As a father of two children, Bryon's teaching practices are grounded in practicality and empathy, ensuring a positive and inclusive learning environment for all students.

David W. Curry - Eastern Section, Pennsylvania

David W. Curry is an 8th-grade Earth and Space Science teacher at Newtown Middle School in the Council Rock School District in Newtown (Bucks County), Pennsylvania. Council Rock is a historically and geologically rich school district in the northern suburbs outside of Philadelphia and against the eastern border with New Jersey. David has a Bachelor of Science in Earth/Space Science Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a minor in Geology. He received his Master of Arts in Education from Arcadia University in Environmental Education. He has been teaching the Earth Sciences in Pennsylvania for 32 years. David is an educational seismology resource for local and regional teachers, operating and maintaining two active, internet-connected, grant-funded IRIS/EarthScope seismometers since 2008 at the school district's two middle schools. David's students participate in numerous citizen-science data collections to create an authentic connection with Earth's dynamic systems. His students remotely connect to a digital camera onboard NASA's International Space Station to photograph Earth from the unique perspective of space. They collect daily CoCoRaHS rain measurements from the school's rain gauge to monitor weather and longer-term climate trends. His students collaborated with the American Philosophical Society and Bodine High School in Philadelphia to continue the critical and historic weather-data charting archives first penned by Franklin, Jefferson, and Madison. David is extremely active in the American Meteorological Society (AMS), serving as a Teacher Mentor for the high-quality DataStreme Atmosphere, Ocean, and Climate graduate courses for teachers. David previously served as the President of the Pennsylvania Earth Science Teachers Association (PAESTA) and currently serves on the boards of the American Meteorological Society's Board of Pre-College Teaching, the National Middle-Level Science Teachers Association (NMLSTA), and he's an active member of the National Earth Science Teachers Association and NSTA. In 2023, David was awarded NMLSTA's Paul DeHart Hurd Award.

Lesley Urasky - Rocky Mountain Section, Wyoming

Lesley Urasky is a National Board Certified Teacher with 26 years in the classroom. She teaches middle and high school courses at Saratoga Middle High School in Saratoga, Wyoming.

She holds a B.S. and an M.S. in Geology from the University of Wyoming. As a former geologist in Wyoming's energy industries, she brings real-world concepts and activities into her classroom. She has developed engaging lessons that transform her students into scientists, allowing them to explore these disciplines. One of her firm beliefs is that students need the ability to evaluate claims and evidence when making life decisions. Her goal is to provide our future leaders, thinkers, and dreamers with the tools to explore and create innovative solutions to current global problems.

Lesley has participated in a variety of teacher-research programs. She was a PolarTREC teacher in Antarctica, a NOAA Teacher at Sea, and participated in a dinosaur research program at Egg Mountain in Montana. She has also served as an educational volunteer at Fossil Butte National Monument.

She is a recipient of several awards, including the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the Edward C. Roy Jr. Award for Excellence in K-8 Earth Science Teaching, the American Chemical Society's Rocky Mountain Region Award for Excellence in High School Chemistry Teaching, and the Wyoming Geological Association's Earth Science Teacher of the Year. Additionally, she was recognized on an episode of Neil DeGrasse Tyson's Cosmos as a "Star Science Teacher of the Week", an especially meaningful experience as she was nominated by a former student.

Lesley has shared her inventive lessons and experiences at conferences on state, regional, national, and international levels. Her leadership experience includes a term as the District XV Director for NSTA.

Kellyn Hardin - Far Western Section, California

Kellyn Hardin has taught earth and space science since 2012 and currently teaches in California at Porterville High School. She attended Cal Poly Humboldt, earning a degree in Geology with an emphasis in GeoScience Education and a GeoScience teaching credential. After graduating, Kellyn accepted a GeoCorps internship with Rocky Mountain National Park Education Division, where she led field trips and classroom visits. Kellyn also wrote the Geology Teacher Guide to Rocky Mountain National Park, a comprehensive paper on the geologic history of RMNP that includes teaching resources. Following RMNP, Kellyn accepted a Student Conservation Association (SCA) internship with Yosemite National Park Interpretation Division, where she taught junior ranger programs and worked in the visitor center. After working seasonal jobs, Kellyn pursued her long-term goal and became a high school earth and space science teacher. Kellyn's educational philosophy is rooted in her love of the outdoors. Her goal is to extend students' understanding of the natural world and empower them to make decisions based on evidence so they will become better problem-solving citizens. In collaboration with Nature Bridge WildLink in Yosemite, Kellyn takes students on a backpacking trip each spring and also facilitates field trips to Sequoia National Park and the local foothills each school year. Kellyn's best teaching practices center around hands-on learning that helps students make real-world connections. She works hard to create an engaging, relevant curriculum that demands a high level of thinking but is still accessible to all students. Her curriculum scaffolds and regularly circles back to information and skills, allowing students to reach a level of accomplishment they can be proud of and recognize how far they have grown.

Alicia (Ali) Pressel - Southwestern Section, Florida

Alicia (Ali) Pressel is a science educator at Creekside High School in the Saint Augustine area of Florida. Ali has been teaching for 18 years and spent the past 15 years developing a high school career academy program of environmental sciences. Pairing STEM learning connections with community partnerships, Ali engages students in outdoor field studies and project-based experiences to help youth become global citizens while exploring careers in the sciences. Her goal is to ensure students understand their connection to the natural world, are empowered to make a difference in their local community, and always be inquisitive, lifelong learners. Ali provides authentic learning experiences to fuel student curiosity as youth become future scientists, changemakers, and leaders of tomorrow.

Ali holds science degrees from Rutgers University and the University of Maryland. She is a National Geographic Explorer, actively involved in Esri's K12 GIS Education initiatives, and sits on Advisory Boards for the National Geographic Society and the NEA Foundation's Global Learning Fellowship. She is also a Florida Finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Ali is a LEED Green Associate with the U.S. Green Building Council, an active member of the National Science Teacher Association, and works with The College Board for Advanced Placement Environmental Science. She regularly facilitates workshops at conferences, sharing best practices fostering community partnerships to enhance STEM education. In her spare time, Ali enjoys hiking and kayaking while exploring the greenways and blueways of Northeast Florida and beyond. She has a love for botany and enjoys adding native plants into her backyard habitat. Ali is an avid traveler and curious adventurer. She believes through travel and exploration, people step out of their comfort zone, make new connections, and adapt their perspectives while creating a global mindset.

Anna Cotton - Northeastern Section

This is Anna Cotton's 21st year teaching science. She graduated from Middlebury College with a degree in Geology and elementary education and started teaching middle school science in New York City. She received her master's in Earth Science Education from City College of New York.

After moving to Martha's Vineyard she taught 5th and 6th grade math and science. Cotton engaged in a variety of project and place based learning including an annual Salamander Survey, Otter Scat Analysis, solar car races, GLOBE science protocols and working in the school garden.

In 2012 began teaching science in the Alternative Program Martha's Vineyard Regional High School. She taught biology, applied chemistry materials science and applied physics incorporating CTE standards and problem based learning. Now teaching mainstream science, Cotton believes strongly that engagement is the foundation of learning and works to create experiences that engage in reflecting on "learning to to learn" skills as the foundation for learners of all levels. She works with a variety of community organizations to create curriculum and implement field trips and hands-on learning activities. Her students likened her class to Ms. Frizzle and the Magic School Bus, hence her yearly Halloween costume. She currently teaches sections of co-taught 9th grade Earth Science class with a special education teacher, Island Natural History, Environmental Science Biosphere, Environmental Science Chemical and Physical and Dynamics and Astronomy.

Cotton loves presenting to fellow teachers on topics including; success for all learners in science, teaching biology through the food systems, engaging projects, and integrating social and design thinking. She currently serves as co-president of the Martha's Vineyard Educators Association. She and her husband built a house together where they live with 13 and 7-year-old sons, a Beagle and Guinea Pig and she enjoys the beautiful beaches and trails of Martha's Vineyard.

Tabetha Hollin - South Central Section

Tabetha enjoys taking students outside as much as possible to help them learn and connect to the community. By presenting learning opportunities to students about preserving natural habitats, her students realize the impact they can have on their own environment and sustainability. Students learn first-hand about fossils and the geography and history of their region of Arkansas. They stay current with daily weather updates and make predictions based on weather patterns from the past. They use this information to make decisions for the school's outdoor classroom area and how it is affected by weathering and erosion.

Learning is made "real" when her students visit other areas, such as Cathedral Caverns in Alabama to study caves and karst formations. They also traveled to Dardanelle State Park to observe lake formation and Indian cave artwork, as well as and many other areas relevant to geoscience.

Tabetha has taught public school for 16 years, and now currently teaches at Acorn Elementary School, Ouachita River School District, in Arkansas. She grew up learning to love the outdoors. Her parents own a farm where she learned how to grow, harvest and sustain garden plants and work with livestock. Through hands-on learning, Tabetha uses authentic learning experiences to connect real life situations.

After receiving her BS from Arkansas Tech University in 2007, Tabetha has taught students Kindergarten through 12th grade. Previous awards include Arvest Teacher of the year, Arkansas Environmental Education Teacher of the year. She has written and received multiple grants for teaching and promoting geoscience education.

State/Province Winners

Madeleine Rushing Yiznitsky - Virginia

Maddy Yiznitsky is an Earth Science and Astronomy teacher at Western Albemarle High School in Charlottesville, VA. She started teaching in 2020 after earning her master's degree in teaching from the University of Virginia. Prior to attending graduate school at UVA, she worked for 4 years in the renewable energy sector. She also holds a bachelor's degree in geology from George Mason University and an associate degree in science from Northern Virginia Community College. This is her first teaching honor.

Maddy is known for her passion of geoscience education and providing relevant field experiences for her students whether they are leaving the classroom or experiencing the outdoors virtually. She incorporates a variety of teaching methods to engage all learners at varying levels of interest or readiness that empower students through choice and collaboration. Students in her classes have opportunities to learn with and from one another through demonstrations, models, small-group discussions, and stations. She most often employs the 5-E Model of Instruction to make information digestible and build intellective capacity for all learners.

Looking forward, Maddy has aspirations to get more student engagement in geoscience education through outdoor recreation.

Lisa Chavez - Arizona

Lisa Chavez is a middle school science teacher at Palo Verde Middle School in Phoenix, Arizona. Lisa has been teaching science for more than 26 years. She has taught both seventh and eighth grade. She currently teaches gifted/advanced 7/8 science.

Lisa's approach to teaching is to make sure all students take pride and ownership of their learning and to help them all become self- sufficient leaners. She strives to create a safe, inviting learning environment where all students can feel safe to share ideas and excel and reach their full potential. Lisa uses a variety of lessons to include hands-on learning through labs, cooperative learning, and individual work that engages and promotes student learning. She uses a variety of strategies to meet the needs of all her student learning styles.

She has degrees in education, Political science, and earth sciences from Northern Arizona University and Arizona State University.
Lisa has previously received the Arizona Diamondbacks Most Valuable Teacher award. She has also been nominated twice, by her students, for the Disney National Teacher of the year award.

Cinthia Moore - Alabama

Over the past 2 years Cinthia has had the opportunity to serve as the 6th Grade Earth Science Teacher for Gulf Shores Middle School. She has also served as the 7th grade Girls basketball coach and sponsor of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Fin Friends Clubs.

Before joining the Gulf Shores Middle school 6th grade team she spent 9 years as the Professional Development Coordinator for the University of South Alabama Research and Inservice Center (SARIC). She worked alongside the educators and administrators within the nine districts for Region 10 to help coordinate their professional development needs.

Prior to accepting her role with SARIC, she taught fourth and fifth grades for Mobile County Public School System. Cinthia also worked as Program Coordinator for both South Alabama Girls Scouts and The Boys and Girls Clubs of South Alabama. She is a USA alumni having completed her Master's degree in Education in 2009.

She has been married to her husband Robby for 25 years and has three beautiful children Dianna, Macey and Tres. They spend most of the time traveling with their children to watch them play the sports they love.

Clayton Fox - British Columbia

Clayton Fox is a senior school science teacher at Collingwood School in West Vancouver, Canada. Clayton graduated with a Bachelor of Education from Simon Fraser University, where he also earned the Faculty of Education Dean's Convocation Medal. He has been teaching for close to 15 years and is currently in the process of completing his Professional Master of Education from Queen's University. These graduate courses have allowed Clayton to further incorporate experiential education principles into his practice and, in doing so, engage students with curricular ideas in their local context. The Pacific Northwest provides an amazing background to teach Earth Science and Clayton enjoys seeing his students make these connections between what they are learning and the larger world. For instance, in his Geology 12 class students use their knowledge of slope stability and an interactive geographic information system (GIS) to determine which residential home out of a list they would like to live in. He has also enjoyed leading teacher professional development workshops and working with teachers to explore available local resources to enrich their teaching. Clayton is very honoured to receive this award and recognition for his teaching.

Joshua Roberts - North Carolina

Josh teaches Earth Science at Watauga High School, in Boone, NC. He accepted the position only after having spent a weekend walking around the school's campus. "It was important to me to know that I could do all of the outdoor lessons that make the class I teach so special. You can't expect students to care about learning how rivers flow or how rocks fracture, without actually taking them to a river or climbing up on those rocks. I get to do that. We, as a class, get to explore the Earth as we study it. And that's AMAZING!"

In addition to his passion for the geosciences, Josh is also dedicated to the advancement of inclusive and equitable teaching in NC public schools. He sponsors two student clubs at Watauga, including the Social Justice Initiative Club and the TBD Club (for LGBTQ+ youth). "We have got to work harder to preserve the autonomy of our students. To allow them to be who they know they are, and show them every day that they matter. When I am teaching my students how to identify a rock, or how to drill a tree core, it doesn't matter if they are black, brown, white, male, female, transgender, gay, straight, rich, poor, a super athlete or a super nerd. Earth Science is for EVERYONE. And every student should be able to walk into a school without feeling fear, embarrassment, shame, or hate. I love all of my students. And in my class, I teach all of my students to love the Earth."

Jimmy Woods - South Carolina

Jimmy Woods embodies educational excellence, with a plethora of academic achievements and a career spanning nearly four decades in STEM education. His academic journey commenced at East Tennessee State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Biology. Fueled by a deep passion for pedagogy, Jimmy pursued further studies, obtaining a Master of Education from Cambridge College and an EdD in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.

Throughout his illustrious career, Jimmy has been recognized as a trailblazer in education, earning prestigious honors such as National Board Certification. With 38 years of teaching experience, he has dedicated himself to molding young minds, spending 35 years guiding high school students and three years nurturing middle schoolers.

Central to Jimmy's teaching philosophy is a firm belief in the transformative potential of STEM education. He champions project-based learning, utilizing the principles of the 5 E's to create dynamic learning environments that foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills. In Jimmy's classroom, collaboration thrives, as students engage in collegial exchanges and co-construct knowledge.

For Jimmy, education transcends traditional classroom walls, evolving into an immersive journey of discovery and innovation. His unwavering commitment to student-centered learning and innovative pedagogical approaches serves as a beacon of inspiration, motivating both his students and fellow educators to revolutionize STEM education.

Tom Caffrey - Montana

Tom Caffrey has taught Earth and AP Environmental Science for over 14 years. Tom Earned his degree in Secondary Education with an Earth Science focus at The University of Montana Western. Caffrey's career has taken him from the deserts and mesas of the Navajo Reservation to the rivers and mountains of Helena Montana.

Since his arrival in Helena MT, Caffrey has been a three-time recipient of the Helena Education Foundation's Distinguished Educator Award. Tom is a huge advocate for outdoor field-based learning and prefers teaching in the field vs. the classroom. Humor is a key component to Caffrey's approach to teaching, and when possible, he incorporates art into his science labs.

In Tom's spare time he is a fly-fishing outfitter on the Missouri River. He also advises the high school fishing club known as the Fish Ecology Club. Caffrey believes that taking students fishing is the greatest of all geo-science labs. Tom believes that the river is the ultimate venue to incorporate all the various disciplines that fall under the Earth Science umbrella. Tom often says, "There is no better application for the scientific method than a day spent chasing wild trout with a fly rod".

Christine Wallace - Georgia

Christine Wallace is a 6th grade Earth Science teacher at Gwinnett Online Campus in Lawrenceville, GA. She has been teaching Earth Science for 17 years. Christine ignites a love of learning through critical thinking and creativity. Recently, her students' curiosity about the solar eclipse sparked a unique learning experience. They created interview questions for Mrs. Salem, a teacher who witnessed the eclipse in the path of totality!

Christine holds a B.S. in Biology and is currently pursuing an M.S. in STEM Education at Georgia State University. She fosters a dynamic and inclusive classroom where students feel valued. Her active learning approach uses discussions, projects, and real-world applications to engage students. One example is online collaborative projects, where students work in virtual teams to research, analyze, and present scientific concepts. This fosters communication, teamwork, and critical thinking skills. Her commitment ensures an engaging learning experience for her students.

Matthew Thomas - Colorado

As a highly experienced teacher at Alameda International High School for the past 17 years, I have enthusiastically taught the Earth Sciences in unique and inspiring ways to many Lakewood area at-risk students. This includes annually exposing students to the wondrous landscapes of nearby iconic geologic formations, inquiring about past environments. In addition, some of my highly motivated students have been able to participate in the Mining for Talent program that partners them with college students and professors for a day at the Colorado School of Mines to explore post-secondary options and geo-science careers. These experiences are highlights of the hands-on, active learning, and best practices in English as a Second Language curricula that supports them. My classroom philosophy incorporates these experiences with STEM practices, and Next Generation Science Standards to facilitate motivation with reading and writing as well as mathematical literacy to develop a deeper understanding of evidence and analysis. We all know that there are excellent teachers everywhere, but it is the most valuable teachers in at-risk schools that are so important in our current time. These teachers provide students with applicable and engaging curricula that helps them develop into effective citizens that may inspire a science related career.

Simone Miller - New Jersey

Simone Miller is a middle school science teacher at Warren Middle School in Warren, NJ. Her mission is to support science learning by activating the resources of families, teachers, scientists and community members. Her interest in geology was sparked at Colby College, where she had a variety of field experiences that continue to inspire her. Over the last 15 years, Simone has offered professional development to dozens of teachers on diverse topics, including teaching and learning, cross-curricular integration and equitable engagement in science. She is constantly redeveloping her curriculum as new ideas, tools and programs are implemented, tested, refined and shared with others. To improve her practice, she pursued advanced studies at Rutgers University. The goal of her Ed.D dissertation, Designing for Science Talk at Home, was to understand and facilitate parent-child interactions in support of science learning. Her research continues to inform learning scientists about what happens inside and outside the classroom to make learning happen.

In her classroom, you'll see students doing, talking, reading and writing, all activities that engage students in science content. She establishes a culture of learning by designing lessons with clear goals, specific directions, and access to resources. She aims to have students understand science as both a way of knowing and the processes and practices used to add to the understanding of the natural world. Students see that scientific knowledge is accessible to them and that they can add to the body of knowledge. By design, the students experience a classroom full of both rigor and fun. In addition, her enthusiasm for nature inspires her students and others to enjoy outdoor activities, learn new things and be responsible stewards of the planet.

Michael Fodera - New York