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Are you passionate about Earth Science?   
Concerned on the direction of ESS in your State?

Want to join a community of like-minded teachers & academics advocating for Earth Science?

Do you like being a part of fresh, useful and relevant professional development?

Become a Member           Join our Team!



BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Directors at Large




OPEN POSITION

Andrea Starks

Bartlett, TN

MS Science Teacher (8yrs)

Prior Profession:
MS English Language Arts, Social Studies (5yrs)

Expertise:
Development of meaningful and relevant activities in the MS classroom, Helping teachers cultivate rigorous and collaborative learning environments

Accomplishments:

2019 Outstanding ES Teacher - Southeast Section

2020 NSTA Robert E. Yager Excellence in Teaching Award

Andrea Starks

Bartlett, TN

MS Science Teacher (8yrs)

Prior Profession:
MS English Language Arts, Social Studies (5yrs)

Expertise:
Development of meaningful and relevant activities in the MS classroom, Helping teachers cultivate rigorous and collaborative learning environments

Accomplishments:

2019 Outstanding ES Teacher - Southeast Section

2020 NSTA Robert E. Yager Excellence in Teaching Award

Having felt lost as a student when it came to science class, I actively work to show all students that they can be successful WHILE enjoying science.
Teachers are the change agents-- we have to like it, love it, and want some more of it!

Kimberley "No-Jo" Norris-Jones

Columbia, SC

ES, Environmental, Chemistry Teacher

(15 years)

Prior Profession:
Army LTC (retired)

Expertise:
ESS advocacy & Beauty/Artistry of Earth

Accomplishments:

2019 SC ES-Teacher of the Year

Earth is the only rock we have to live on! We need to understand it in order to take care of it
It is why I have a passion to teach ESS-I want others to want to take care of our Home.

Diane Tom-Ogata

Honolulu, HI

High School STEM Capstone, Marine Science, Biology, Physics, Physical Science (16 yrs)

Prior Profession:
Early Childhood Education (8.5 yrs)
K-3 Elementary (2 yrs)

Expertise:
Integrated Culture/Place-base STEM

Accomplishments:

2018 Outstanding ES Teacher - Far Western Section
2019 Polynesian Voyaging Society STEM Wa'a Camp

Mother Earth. Out of respect for what she provides and nourishes all living & nonliving things, I'm constantly amazed at the multifaceted layers and intricacies of interconnectivity of what surrounds us... Komohana (West) where the sun enters the horizon... welcoming knowledge of place...

Regional DIrectors


Appointed Directors


Website Coordinator

Elaine Bohls-Graham

Austin, TX

HS Science Teacher
Occasional adjunct professor

Prior Profession:
Draftsman

Expertise:
Geology/Geophysics

Geoscience curriculum

Accomplishments:
VaNTH Fellow - University of Texas—Austin

DIG Texas Blueprints - Lead teacher intern, contributor, website manager 

Earth, Wind & Fire (OnRamps) contributor - University of Texas—Austin

Native Austinite, a ranch child in western Travis County—many trips to different places instilled a passion for anything “geology” & the knowledge I would always be a geologist
My hope is that Geosciences will become recognized/respected as the 4th & most important pillar that it is—students of all ages will learn & love  our Earth.

Professional Development Curator


Randall Sanders

Wallington, NJ
HS Teacher AP Environmental Science, Chemistry, STEM Explorations (6 Years)

Prior Profession:
Quality Control Manager for Airplane Parts Company

Expertise:
Land and Water Use, Climate Change
Accomplishments:
2015 GSA, National Conference,
Best Student Paper

I grew up spending a lot of time outdoors and developed a deep interest and love for nature. I had many opportunities to work in nature and make, what I believe, to be a difference . I wanted to share my love for nature and educate young adults about the beauty and complexities of their environment.


Professional Development Committee Facilitator

Ardis Herrold

Oro Valley, AZ

Education Specialist, Vera C. Rubin Observatory

Prior Profession:

HS & part time college teacher (38 yrs)
ES, 
geology, chemistry, astronomy, & ran district planetarium

Expertise:

Developing free online interactive astronomy activities (authentic data) for Rubin Observatory

Accomplishments:

Past President of NESTA & MESTA

Built/used radio telescopes w/ students—Radio Astronomy team (RATs)

 Professional Development (30+ years)

I'm an amateur astronomer with a Geology degree, so I love all things Earth & sky.
Favorite 
topics: astro imaging, fluorescent minerals, planetary geology, meteorites, National Parks of US & Canada. Most of all, getting people excited about the awesomeness of Earth Science!

Director of
Accessibility & Neurodiversity


Belinda Jacobs

Pflugerville, TX

MS & HS Science Teacher (16 yrs)

Applied Aquatic Science/Environmental Systems

CC Adjunct geology instructor

Expertise:
Accessibility/Inclusivity in Geosciences & ES is for Everyone

Accomplishments:

2016 Outstanding ES Teacher—Texas

Curriculum developer—NSF-funded DIG Texas Blueprints project

Sitting at the Grand Canyon, still reminiscing on the wonders of ES



Director of Membership

Joe Monaco

Highland, CA

Retired

Prior Profession:
ES teacher (37 years)

Expertise:

Geology & Astronomy

Accomplishments:

JOIDES Resolution;

Space Camp

I enjoyed all of the ESs since I was a child & knew whatever career choice I made, it would have to be in the ESs.

Director of ES Diversity & Equity

Enrique Reyes

Austin, TX

HS Teacher
DC Geology, Aquatic Science, Biology

Expertise:
Diversity in ESS
Mineralogy
Geoscience Education

I became an Earth Science educator because I have a passion & love for Earth Science that is uncommon in my community
Undeserved & minority communities do not get the same opportunities to engage in the geosciences, so I take it upon myself to expand those opportunities for them.

The Earth Scientist Editor


Peg Steffen

Iowa City, Iowa

Curriculum Writer

Prior Profession:
MS / HS Science teacher (25 yrs)

Program Manager—NASA & NOAA education (18 yrs)

Expertise:
Climate science, ESS, NGSS professional development

Accomplishments:

Designer/managerNASA Explorer School

NOAA National Ocean Service Education Coordinator

NOAA Planet Stewards project lead

A foundation of knowledge in ESS is critical for all of Planet Earth's citizens. The more recent emphasis for these disciplines in NGSS is an opportunity to engage more K-12 students. Teaching & learning, especially the ESS are a lifelong passion for me and I hope to spark that in others

Facebook Group Moderator

David Thesenga

Erie, CO

HS Science Teacher (24 yrs)

ES, Physics, Engineering, Robotics

Prior Profession:
Geophysical engineer

Expertise:
Big data & Data visualization

Accomplishments:

Einstein Fellow - Washington DC, NSF Geoscience Directorate

PolarTREC Teacher\Researcher, Ross Ice Shelf Antarctica

NAGT Earth Science Teacher of the Year

I have a passion for both understanding Earth systems that underlie massive datasets being produced, as well as encouraging/guiding development of curricula & best practices that help push forward a positive legislative educational agenda

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