NSELA catalyzes leadership to maximize effective science teaching and learning in a complex and changing environment. If you are receiving this email and are not a member, we encourage you to join us and get involved!

May 2025

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EDUCATE
Keeping current with news in science education.

Board Corner

Cindy Gay - Region D Director

Senior Science Educator - BSCS Science Learning

What is your current NSELA board position? What responsibilities are involved with this position?

I represent Region D NSELA members to the Board of Directors, contribute to one of NSELA's standing committees, communicate with Region D NSELA members, and collaborate with other NSELA Regional Directors.

Why did you want to volunteer for your current NSELA board position?

I have gained much from membership in NSELA and CSEN (the Colorado NSELA affiliate) and want to give back to the organization. We live in a time when science education leadership is more critical than ever before; NSELA serves an important role in developing and recognizing outstanding leaders in science education.

What is one goal you have for this year in your NSELA board position? How can the NSELA membership support you with this goal?

I hope to develop strong communication with members of Region D and promote opportunities for our members across NSELA. Region D members - please reach out with ideas, needs, and ways NSELA can support you!

What is one thing you’d like NSELA members to know about you?

Prior to joining BSCS Science Learning, I was a MS, HS, 2-year, and 4-year classroom teacher and school leader for 34 years - mainly HS, mainly Biology and AP Biology. In addition to being passionate about science, I am also a skier, mountain biker, hiker, gardener, knitter, and artist. My favorite activities are those spent outdoors with my family.

ADVOCATE
Connecting with NSELA committees, events, and leaders.

Leadership Spotlight

Tina Hovance - Katy ISD Secondary Science Coordinator, Katy TX 

What advice do you have for those pursuing science leadership?

Have a passion and vision for what science

education could be—and continually work toward that goal. Let that vision guide your decisions, knowing that students and teachers are at the heart of your work. Stay grounded in research-based practices; they provide a strong foundation when navigating change or advocating for instructional shifts. Also, seek out a network of other science leaders. You don’t have to figure everything out alone.

What has been a success of your leadership in your district that you are proud of? What are you most proud of?

As Secondary Science Coordinator, I’m proud to have led systemic efforts that center equity, empower educators, and transform how science is taught and experienced in our district. I’ve been intentional in designing a rich, vertically aligned curriculum while ensuring that all students—across all campuses—have access to high-quality, hands-on science learning. This includes developing districtwide learning assessments to guide instruction, launching “essential labs” to guarantee real investigative experiences for every student, and leading initiatives that promote equitable access to resources. Whether coordinating lab equipment for new schools or maintaining a comprehensive learning management system of instructional tools, my focus remains on building sustainable systems that support both teachers and students.

What I’m most proud of is leading our district’s shift to phenomenon-driven, sensemaking science instruction. We’ve developed a robust professional learning ecosystem—including our Summer Science Conference, teacher institutes, and science academies—and supported it with strategic planning, revised curriculum, and collaborative leadership structures like our District Course Lead model. I’ve championed a move toward inquiry-based instruction, cultivating teacher leaders through cohort-based PD and curriculum collaboration to foster a culture of continuous improvement. Alongside this instructional work, I’ve built strong partnerships with families, local organizations, and state leaders—securing resources, expanding opportunities, and advocating for high-quality instructional materials aligned with research and the new state standards.

What do you do for personal enjoyment outside of your professional life?

Outside of my professional life, I love to spend time traveling like hiking through national parks, relaxing on a beach, and visiting museums and historical landmarks. I also enjoy running, reading fiction with my book club, or playing a competitive game of dominos. 

Do you have someone in mind for the Leadership Spotlight? Self-nominations are welcome! Click the button to access the submission form.

Time to Recognize and Lead: Board Nominations & OLISE Award

As we wrap up another academic year and look ahead to the future of science education, May is the perfect time to reflect on leadership and begin identifying those who can help shape our direction.

Board of Directors Nominations – Coming This Fall

Are you or someone you know ready to help guide the National Science Education Leadership Association into its next chapter? This fall, we’ll open nominations for our Board of Directors. We’re looking for dedicated, forward-thinking science education leaders who are ready to bring their passion, vision, and expertise to the national stage. Now is the time to consider running—or to encourage a colleague whose leadership you admire. Visit nsela.org/elections for more information.

OLISE Award – Honoring Outstanding Leadership in Science Education

Do you know an exceptional science education leader who has made a lasting impact at the district, state, or national level? The Outstanding Leadership in Science Education (OLISE) Award recognizes individuals who exemplify excellence, innovation, and commitment to improving science education for all learners. Start thinking now about who deserves this distinguished recognition—nominations will open later this year. Visit nsela.org/Outstanding-Leadership-in-Science-Education for more information

Together, we can elevate and celebrate the leaders who make a difference.

Save the Date! NSELA Summer Leadership Institute: Early Bird Pricing Now Available!

Join us this summer in Salt Lake City for “Integrating Science and Engineering Practices with Ease: Strategies for High-Impact Instruction”, a two-day leadership institute happening July 14–15, 2025. This event is designed for current and emerging science education leaders who are eager to deepen their understanding of place-based science teaching, intersections of climate and data science in local phenomena, and student-centered instruction focused on the K-12 Framework.

Over the course of two full days, attendees will engage with experts and collaborate with peers to translate new ideas into local action. Topics will include field-based learning, the role of data in climate literacy, and how to localize high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) to meet the needs of diverse learners. Whether you're a district leader, coach, or classroom teacher with leadership responsibilities, this institute offers tools, time, and thought partnership to bring high-impact, sustainable practices back to your community.

Write for the Leadership Matters Column - Now in All Three NSTA Publications!

NSELA members now have the opportunity to submit a column for Leadership Matters in Science and Children, NSTA's K-5 science publication, Science Scope, NSTA's 6-8 science publication, and The Science Teacher, NSTA's HS publication. Every NSELA member is a leader and you all have stories to tell about what is happening in K-12 science in your district and how you and others are making science happen.

Reach out to the following individuals for more information and to submit a draft article. The editors will work with you to get your article ready for publication. Any science educator can write for the column. The goal is to share our stories and learn from one another. 

K-5: Kathy Renfrew at krsciencelady@gmail.com

6-8: Lizette Navarrete-Burks at burksl@uhd.edu

HS: Shannon Wachowski at swachowski@edreports.org

Do you want to get more involved with NSELA?

Did you know that NSELA has 3 critical Standing Committees that play crucial roles in the success of the organization?

Communications and Publications Committee

This committee’s purpose is to support NSELA with all things related to communications and publications. While the most visible part of this committee is the newsletter, which the committee chair edits, several subcommittees contribute to its success as well as other aspects of communications and publications.

Subcommittees:

• Leadership Spotlight - supports recruiting nominees as well as editing the submissions; not responsible for nominations, but supports submissions.
• Partnership Feature - supports NSELA Partners who qualify for a feature in the newsletter not responsible for securing Partners, but reaches out and supports submissions.
• Publications - maintains the publication arm of NSTA including the Science Educator journal and the Leadership Matters column in the NSTA journals, which involves recruiting and supporting authors and shepherding the submissions through the process.
• Social Media - supports all other committees with social media support in the form of establishing guidelines for social media use; does not involve crafting all posts for all committees but creates and manages social media posts as related to the Communications and Publications committee.

Membership Committee

This committee’s purpose is to serve the membership of the organization. In addition to member engagement, this committee consists of several subcommittees that focus on growing, serving and awarding NSELA members.

Subcommittees:

• Mentoring - identifies and supports a cadre of science leadership mentors with professional learning and oversees the VESELS program which promotes the development of emerging science leaders.
• Awards - oversees the OLISE award and explores various ways to recognize more NSELA members.
• Affiliates - manages the outreach to bring more science leaders across the country to NSELA.
• Elections and Nominations - ensures a pipeline of talented members to lead the organization; not responsible for nominations, rathers seeks them and conducts NSELA elections.

Professional Learning Committee

The Professional Learning Committee is a vital and highly visible representation of NSELA, serving as a primary interface between the organization and its members through dynamic, impactful professional learning opportunities. Committee members serve on yearly established working groups based on the goals of the association.

Subcommittees:

• Virtual Professional Learning Working Group - collaborates to establish the webinar calendar and to determine other potential online learning opportunities
• In-Person Working Group - facilitates the planning and preparation of the Annual Conference and Summer Leadership Institute
• NSTA Pathway Working Group - establishes the focus of the series of workshops offered at both the Fall and Spring NSTA Conferences

On any of the NSELA Standing Committees there are opportunities to join a small team of members to contribute to specific tasks, thus joining a committee provides several ways to leverage your interests and skills and get more involved as an NSELA member.

COLLABORATE
Highlighting the work of our members, partners, and other organizations.

Announcements

Knowles Teacher Initiative: Knowles Teacher Initiative is hosting their annual STEM Conference in Philadelphia on July 24. Registration is only $50, and after attending, all participants will receive a $100 gift card as a way of saying thank you. Meals and parking are included. Learn more here.  

SAFER LABS: Be Protected!
By Dr. Ken Roy, NSELA Safety Compliance Officer

Comparing Laboratory Instructional Space Ventilation Standards

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