Outstanding Science Teacher Awards
The New Mexico Academy of Science has been in existence for over 100 years and is an advocate and resource for science and science education in New Mexico.
The Outstanding Science Teacher Award given by the New Mexico Academy of Science honors New Mexico science and math educators. The Academy recognizes educators who provide opportunities for students to succeed in science. The award has been given since 1968 and nominations are open to all preK-12 and informal science educators throughout New Mexico.
The Academy honors two outstanding educators each year at the annual NMAS meeting with a commemoration, a monetary award, and classroom materials. Each winner and a guest are provided a hotel room, event registration and meal for the annual award ceremony. This award is augmented by a monetary award from the American Chemical Society (ACS).
Program Director: Jayne Aubele, NM Museum of Natural History and Science
Nominations
Nominations are open to all grade K-12 teachers and all informal science educators who teach or promote STEM subject(s) in New Mexico. Nominations can come from school administrators, parents or families of students, colleagues, or self. Although applications will be accepted thorough the year, the closing period for the current academic year is October 4. Winners will be notified as soon as a selection has been made and asked to submit a biography and publication ready photo. The actual award will be presented at the NMAS fall meeting.
A nomination consists of an information form and a supporting narrative. The documents should be emailed to the program director. The nomination deadline for 2024 is Friday, October 4.
Nomination form and instructions – Word | pdf
If not selected that year, the nomination will be included in the submissions for the following year (a maximum of two consecutive award cycles) with an opportunity for the nominator to update the nomination the second year.
History of the Award
A single award was established in 1968 to honor New Mexico STEM educators. Since 1990, awards have been given to two teachers annually. In 2018, the Academy opened the awards to nomination of informal science educators. The American Chemical Society has partnered with NMAS and currently presents the monetary award to both NMAS winning. Past teacher awardees have ranged from K through high school and from every part of the state of New Mexico.
Past Recipients of the Outstanding Science Teacher Award
| 2023 | Chris Speck, Garfield STEM School (bio) Dr. Roy Biñas Basa, Zuni Public Schools (bio) |
| 2022 | Hope Cahill, El Dorado Community School, Santa Fe (bio) Kerrie Thatcher, Jefferson Montessori Academy, Carlsbad (bio) |
| 2021 | Megan Strain, Desert Hills Elementary, Las Cruces (bio) Kerrie Thatcher, Jefferson Montessori Academy, Carlsbad (bio) |
| 2020 | Eva Abeyta, Los Alamos Online Learning Academy (bio) Lena Eddings, La Cueva High School, Albuquerque (bio) |
| 2019 | Mark Walker, Early College Academy and Career Enrichment Center, Albuquerque (bio) Amanda Pacheco-Suazo, Mission Academy Elementary School, Albuquerque (bio) |
| 2018 | Julianna Matz-Esquibel, Taos High School, Taos (bio) Nate Raynor, Mescalero Apache School, Mescalero (bio) |
| 2017 | Jessica Sanders, Berrendo Middle School, Roswell |
| 2016 | Jodie Guillen, Moriarty Middle School, Moriarty Kevin Sebastian, El Camino Real Academy, Santa Fe Public Schools, Santa Fe |
| 2015 | Turtle Haste, Desert Ridge Middle School, Albuquerque (bio) Anna Suggs, Zia Middle School, Las Cruces (bio) |
| 2014 | Colleen Ruiz, Annunciation Catholic School, Albuquerque (bio) Lindsay Hanson, Public Academy for Performing Arts, Albuquerque (bio) |
| 2013 | John Irwin, Texico H.S. Texico Debra Chee, Crownpoint M.S., Crownpoint |
| 2012 | Vickie Funk-Sheley, Tibbetts MS, Farmington (bio) Gail Silva, Piedra Vista HS, Farmington (bio) |
| 2011 | Barbara Mullis, Los Alamos MS, Los Alamos (bio) Brian Montoya, Puesta del Sol ES, Rio Rancho (bio) |
| 2010 | Bonnie Dodge, Infinity HS, Belen (bio) Damian Armijo, Alta Vista MS, Carlsbad (bio) |
| 2009 | Vince Case, School on Wheels HS, Albuquerque Don Mulder, Washington MS, Albuquerque |
| 2008 | Jennifer Coughlin, Eldorado HS. Albuquerque Theresa Apodaca, Sarracino MS, Socorro |
| 2007 | Karen Griego-Kraig, Pojoaque Valley MS, Espanola (bio) Chasity Montes, Smith ES, Deming (bio) |
| 2006 | Lesha Harenberg, Eldorado HS, Albuquerque (bio) Tammy Hinckley, Barranca Mesa ES, Los Alamos (bio) |
| 2005 | Joe Matteson, Pojoaque Valley HS, Espanola (bio) Steven Brügge, Eisenhower MS, Albuquerque (bio) |
| 2004 | Mary Ann Patterson, Socorro ES, Socorro (bio) Gilberto Logo-Martinez, Truman MS, Albuquerque (bio) |
| 2003 | Sam Nichols, Hobbs HS, Hobbs Sarah Claussen, Zimmerly ES, Socorro |
| 2002 | Charles E. Gallegos, Lynn MS, Las Cruces Alexandra Loots, Santo Domingo ES, SD Pueblo |
| 2001 | Ervin A. Pfeifle, Las Cruces HS, Las Cruces (bio) Brenda Brannen, El Capitan ES., Roswell (bio) |
| 2000 | Lino “Ricky” M. Espinoza, Shiprock HS, Shiprock Susan Nuckols, Floyd ES., Floyd |
| 1999 | David P. Nohe, Chaparral MS, Alamogordo Sara Sue Torres, Sierra MS, Las Cruces |
| 1998 | Rondal Nauert, Tatum HS, Tatum Cathy Stell Kinzer, Mesilla Pk. ES.,Las Cruces |
| 1997 | Kevin Blackstone, Alamogordo HS, Alamogordo Patricia May, La Union ES, Anthony |
| 1996 | Ann Allen, Goddard HS, Roswell Richard Berglund, Capitan Schools, Capitan |
| 1995 | Kevin Jarigese, Moriarty HS, Moriarty Katy Price, Naaba Ani ES, Bloomfield |
| 1994 | Mark Witkowski, Santa Teresa HS, Santa Teresa Sandy Pixley, Dulce ES, Dulce |
| 1993 | Arthur Flores, San Miguel ES, Las Cruces |
| 1992 | Joe Keating, Thoreau HS, Gallup Marian Pelking, East Picacho ES, Las Cruces |
| 1991 | Malva Knoll, Eldorado HS, Albuquerque William Reed, Cameo ES, Clovis |
| 1990 | Timothy Black, La Cueva HS, Albuquerque |
| 1989 | No records |
| 1988 | No records |
| 1987 | No records |
| 1986 | No records |
| 1985 | No awards |
| 1984 | No awards |
| 1983 | No awards |
| 1982 | Vincente Villa, NMSU Mauro Montoya, Highland HS, Albuquerque |
| 1981 | David Kidd, UNM Antonio Lara, Gadsden HS, Anthony |
| 1980 | Harry F. Pomeroy, Jr. , Yucca Jr. HS, Clovis |
| 1979 | No awards |
| 1978 | Geoffrey Purcell, NM Tech Rex L. Robinson, Grants HS, Grants |
| 1977 | Marshall S. Floyd, Highland HS, Albuquerque |
| 1976 | Robert F. Miller, WNMU Earl F. Paige, Tucumcari HS, Tucumcari |
| 1975 | Antonio L. Gennero, ENMU Eldrid E. Harrington, Albuquerque Public School |
| 1974 | M.F. Stubbs, University of Albuquerque Herbert J. Hammond , Alamogordo HS, Alamogordo |
| 1973 | No awards |
| 1972 | Clay T. Smith, NM Tech |
| 1971 | No award |
| 1970 | George R. Fischbeck, Albuquerque Public Schools |
| 1969 | No awards |
| 1967 | Joseph McKinnon, Roswell HS, Roswell |