State Affiliate of the National Science Teachers Association

 


Essie Beck Rising Star Award

The Essie Beck Rising Star Science Education Award is presented by the Louisiana Science Teachers Association to one science teacher at any level (K-12) who has demonstrated exemplary science teaching. This may include performance in the development/use of instructional materials, design/implementation of curriculum, and/or fostering school-based or community-based instructional programs in science for a period of three to five years. This award is named for Essie Beck who devoted both her teaching career and retirement years to the improvement of science education in Louisiana.

Composition of Award

The award consists of a $400 cash award to be used in the teacher's classroom or to defray expenses to a regional or national science teachers convention, an award plaque, one ticket to the LSTA awards banquet, a complimentary one-year membership in LSTA and publication in the LASER of a report describing the awardee's work.

Rules and Procedures


  1. The Applicant must be a full-time science teacher or full-time classroom teacher, with all the responsibilities of such a position, with at least 3 but no more than 5 years classroom experience.
  2. The Applicant must be a LSTA member in good standing. This can be verified by contacting the LSTA membership chairperson.
  3. The Applicant must prepare a description of his/her exemplary science technique(s), innovations, and/or program(s), not to exceed five (5) pages typed, double-spaced, on 8.5" x 11" paper in type size no smaller than 10 font. The exemplary teaching described must be the entrant's original work but can be based on existing instructional materials. In addition, the applicant should provide a resume that includes formal education, participation in professional organizations, activities related to his/her role as an educator and other pertinent information and a minimum of one digital picture of the teacher involved in an educational setting. The digital photograph(s) may be submitted with the application packet or e-mailed to jlgraff@bellsouth.net. Supplemental sample documents are encouraged; however, please do not send videos, CD's or other multi-media materials other than the required digital photograph(s).
  4. The Applicant should provide three to five letters of support from individuals who are familiar with the exemplary science teaching of the applicant and can corroborate the teaching described.


Submit one (1) original and four (4) copies of the application form and all supporting documents in one envelope to:

Jan Graff, 10111 Norris Ferry Road, Shreveport, LA 71106.

Failure to follow rules precisely will result in disqualification.

Judging
Final judging is by a committee of science educators selected by the Louisiana Science Teachers Association.

Application