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!

June 2025

Contribute to the Newsletter!

We want to hear from you! Every month we'll be featuring a Leadership Spotlight to honor and appreciate the expertise in our NSELA community. Use the form below to nominate a colleague (or yourself)! Here are some interview questions to consider as part of your submission.

Do you have an announcement you'd like to share in the newsletter? You can also use the form to submit a short announcement.

Leadership Spotlight and Announcement Submission

EDUCATE
Keeping current with news in science education.

Board Corner

Tammie Schrader - Region F Director

Science Consultant - focus on AI and Game Based Implementation

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

I am the Region F Director. This includes monthly communication with our district members. I outreach to

our members, recruit new members, and promote NSELA work. I also network with our local WSTA, OSTA, and other states in order to collaborate with them.

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

I wanted to make a difference on a national level as well as network with other regions of the country. I am hoping this position will help me impact student learning on a larger scale. I want to be part of the national conversation on science education in order to bring back that information to my region.

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

One goal I have is to ensure that every K-12 student, regardless of zip code, race, language background, or ability status has daily access to high-quality, phenomenon centered science instruction led by well-prepared teachers. National data show that students in high-poverty schools receive up to 40% less instructional time in science and are less likely to have certified science teachers than their peers in affluent districts. By 2030, the U.S. is projected to have ~3 million more STEM jobs than qualified candidates; early, consistent exposure to science is a proven gateway to later STEM engagement. Everyday decisions about health, climate, and technology require scientific literacy. Broadening access is a civic imperative, not just a workforce issue. NSELA members can help me by networking and sharing resources and ideas to make this happen.

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

I am dedicated to the expansion of science and science leadership. My current doctoral work is based on using games in education and I would love to share this work and am thrilled to be able to share this work all over the world.

ADVOCATE
Connecting with NSELA committees, events, and leaders.

Leadership Spotlight

Dr. Dina Dormer - K-12 Supervisor of Science, Technology, and Enineering and Family and Consumer Science, West Chester Area School District, West Chester, PA

In this leadership spotlight we shine a light on Dr. Dina Dormer. Dr. Dormer correlates leadership to science, stating "Leadership is a lot like science in many ways, as some predictions and hypotheses turn into expected OR unexpected/unanticipated results. Troubleshoot, learn,

iterate, adapt, and try again - the next time, better informed and equipped." When you spot Dr. Dormer, you won't help but notice the goofy/fun knee-high socks she wears every day. She is known not to repeat a design during the course of a school year.

What advice do you have for those pursuing science leadership?

Get involved in various roles and committees. Ask a lot of questions and learn from people in different roles, departments, and schools. Be patient. Be curious. Take a risk.

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

I am most proud of the successful transition to the PA STEELS stands. Science and Technology & Engineering teachers have been heavily involved in curriculum development and revisions, shifts in learning experiences, development of multidimensional assessments, and inviting students into their learning of science in ways that promote curiosity, exploration, investigation, and constructing evidence-based explanations.

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

I am a swimming coach, which helps me to maintain the discipline and resilience to persist through challenges and difficult times. Coaching also reminds me of the importance of establishing and maintaining strong working relationships with others, serving others, and finding ways to draw out the possibilities and opportunities within each person.

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, June 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.

Learn More About Board of Directors Nominations

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.

Learn More About OLISE

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.

Join a Committee!

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

End-of-School-Year Science Instructional Space Cleanup

School science instructional spaces (laboratory/classroom) and associated areas (storerooms, preparations rooms, etc.) can be unsafe, given exposure to potential biological, chemical, and physical safety hazards and resulting health and safety risks. Even when educators attempt in earnest during the school year to maintain safer instructional spaces and associated areas with each hands-on activity and demonstration, safety issues can still go unaddressed. Shortly before school summer recess is an opportune time to conduct housekeeping activities. Some examples of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)–related housekeeping requirements in school instructional spaces and associated areas include clear aisles and exits, proper storage of chemicals, clean work surfaces, spill control, appropriate waste disposal, eyewash and safety shower maintenance, equipment maintenance, and, electrical safety.

Read the Blog Post