Dear Educator,

The Princeton and Trenton Sections of the American Chemical Society are jointly sponsoring the Outstanding High School Chemistry Teacher Award

The purpose of this award is to recognize and encourage outstanding teachers of high school chemistry within the Princeton ACS and Trenton ACS Sections, and to motivate others to emulate them.  Up to two winners will be selected and they will each receive a cash award of $300. 

We know there are talented and dedicated chemistry teachers in our area that may have contributed in a particularly unique and effective way this past year. This is an excellent opportunity to recognize the work of a chemistry teacher at your high school and we encourage you to nominate a candidate or perhaps resubmit a nomination from a previous year.

Nominations must be received by April 28, 2024. The contest details are presented in the enclosed ‘Instructions and Guidelines’.  

Email Louise Lawter at louise.lawter@gmail.com if you have any questions about the Award and/or Nomination process.

We look forward to receiving your nomination!

Sincerely,

Louise Lawter, Princeton ACS Section and Danielle Jacobs, Trenton ACS Section,
2024 Outstanding HS Chemistry Teacher Awards Coordinators

INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDELINES 

2024 Outstanding High School Chemistry Teacher Award

sponsored by the Princeton and Trenton Sections of the American Chemical Society

 

Purpose:

To recognize and encourage outstanding teachers of high school chemistry from schools within the geographic area of the Princeton and Trenton American Chemical Society (ACS) Local Sections.

Award: 

The award will consist of a cash prize of $300 

Rules of Eligibility:

  • Any individual, except a member of the award selection committee or currently enrolled student of the nominee, may submit one nomination or letter of support in any given year. 

  • The nominee must be actively engaged in the teaching of chemistry in a high school (grades 9-12).

  • The nominee must not have won the award in the past ten years.

  • The high schools must be in the geographic area of the Trenton or Princeton ACS Sections.  

Evaluation Criteria:  

The criteria that will be considered in selecting the winning candidates are:

  •  the quality of the nominee's teaching (unusually effective methods of presentation should be emphasized),

  • the nominee's ability to challenge and inspire students

  • the nominee's efforts to incorporate and foster chemical safety skills in the classroom and laboratory,

  • the nominee's efforts to support and nurture students of all backgrounds, particularly those from underrepresented groups, in pursuit of studies and careers in STEM

  • the extracurricular work in chemistry by the nominee, including science fairs, science clubs, and activities that stimulate the interest of young people in chemistry and related sciences,

  • a willingness to keep up-to-date in the field, as evidenced by pursuit of a higher degree in chemistry, enrollment in refresher courses and summer institutions, regular attendance at scientific meetings, membership in professional organizations, and other means of self-improvement,

  • the evidence of leadership and/or active involvement within the profession.

Nomination process:

Prepare and submit a Nomination Packet consisting of:

  • Nomination ‘Form’ that includes nominator’s professional affiliation, present position (exact title), address, city, state, zip, telephone and email address as well as the nominee’s professional affiliation, present position (exact title), address, city, state, zip, telephone and email address

  • The nominee’s curriculum vitae or resume that includes a list of the nominee's honors, professional activities, and additional evidence of service to the profession. This must be limited to not more than two pages.  (Focus on honors, activities etc. in the last 5 years.)

  • A recommendation summary from the nominator addressing the evaluation criteria above (750 words or less)

  • In addition to the nominator's recommendation summary, at least one, but not more than three, letters of support.  One letter, of no more than 400 words, must be from the teacher’s current principal or supervisor. Note: if the nominator is the teacher’s current principal, the nominator's recommendation summary fulfills the requirement of a letter of support from the principal. The additional letters of support, of no more than 400 words, may be sent by colleagues, members of the American Chemical Society, who are familiar with the nominee’s achievements, or former students and parents of former students. (Specific examples of a teacher’s strengths will have more impact than generalities about their teaching ability).

The Nomination Packet must be RECEIVED by Friday, April 19, 2024.  It can be mailed or emailed to Louise Lawter at:  

o   Email address:       louise.lawter@gmail.com

o   Mailing Address:   Louise Lawter, Program Coordinator, 475 Prince William Ct, Yardley, PA 19067

Key Dates

  • Nomination must be received by:                                 April 28, 2024

  • Award decision:                                                           May 8, 2024

  • Award presentation:                                                       May, 2024, date tbd