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May 2026

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. Please note that announcements must contain opportunities that are free and available to all. If you would like to put an advertisement in the newsletter, please visit the website.

Leadership Spotlight and Announcement Submission

EDUCATE
Keeping current with news in science education.

In Memoriam: Kathy Renfrew “the Science Lady” and Recent NSELA Presidential Citation Awardee

It is with heavy hearts we remember the recent passing of a dear colleague, mentor, and friend, Kathy Renfrew. Over the past 50 years, Kathy has been an integral part of the science education community, touching many lives. Kathy was an active member of the NSELA organization, affectionately referring to our membership as “my people.” At our recent Annual Conference in Anaheim, CA, Kathy received the prodigious honor of the NSELA Presidential Citation Award. As a dedicated and transformative leader in science education, Kathy leaves behind a legacy that touched thousands of students and educators across the country. Her journey, marked by curiosity, courage, and an unyielding passion for learning, reshaped the landscape of science teaching and leadership.

Born with a deep love for learning, Kathy initially pursued a degree in human development, intending to become a social worker. However, a small twist of fate steered her toward education, a path she embraced with joy and commitment. Kathy’s early teaching career took her to Australia, where she worked with diverse classrooms, including Greek immigrant children, before returning to Vermont. There, she spent decades inspiring students, particularly as a fourth-grade teacher, blending creativity and inquiry through memorable lessons like tissue-paper hot air balloons and science-focused storytelling.

Though she described herself as “science-phobic” in the late 1990s, Kathy’s first science education grant sparked a passion that would define her life's work. She grew into a respected scientist and leader, championing equitable, inquiry-driven learning. Her leadership roles included serving as the Elementary Science Assessment Coordinator at the Vermont Agency of Education, where she was instrumental in implementing the Next Generation Science Standards.

Kathy’s influence extended beyond Vermont through her work with national organizations such as Achieve, the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA), and the Council of State Science Supervisors. She was a mentor to many, known for her boundless energy, inclusivity, and unwavering commitment to empowering educators.

Colleagues and friends remember Kathy as relentless in her dedication and transformative in her approach. She believed deeply that science education should ignite curiosity rather than rely on memorization, a philosophy that guided her throughout her career.

Kathy Renfrew’s extraordinary life was a testament to resilience, humility, and joy in learning. She inspired countless others to see and pursue their own visions of leadership and education. Her legacy lives on in the countless minds she helped awaken and the communities she built around science education.

NSELA would like to memorialize Kathy’s legacy and profound impact on science education by naming the NSELA Presidential Citation Award after her. Therefore, going forward, this prestigious award will be named the NSELA Kathy Renfrew Presidential Citation. This award will be given by the NSELA president to a recipient who reflects the dedication, contribution and legacy to science education exemplified by our colleague, mentor, and friend, Kathy Renfrew.

Kathy, you are dearly missed but fondly remembered as a fearless learner, tireless leader, and a cherished heart of the science education community. You will continue to serve as an example to us all as we continue the work you started and remember the legacy you left us. Thank you, Kathy.

President's Message

A Message of Gratitude

As my term on the NSELA Board comes to a close on May 31st, I find myself looking back on this journey with immense gratitude. Serving this organization and working alongside all of you has been one of the most defining chapters of my professional life.

When I first stepped into leadership with NSELA, I knew I was joining a dedicated group of science education advocates. What I didn’t fully realize then was just how much this experience would expand my own perspective. The opportunities to lead and collaborate have pushed me to grow in ways I never anticipated.

The true heart of NSELA is its people. I have been incredibly fortunate to work alongside a brilliant and tireless community of leaders. Together, we have built strategic roadmaps and championed impactful professional learning to strengthen science leadership nationwide.

Beyond the committee meetings and conference sessions, what I treasure most are the deeply personal connections made along the way. I have felt entirely supported by a leadership team that always brings genuine insight and dedication to the table. Because of this community, I am fortunate to walk away from this experience not just with a network of esteemed colleagues, but with an amazing group of people I am proud to call true friends.

While my formal time on the board is ending, my commitment to this community and our shared mission remains unchanged. Thank you for your trust and your partnership as we lead science education forward. It has been an absolute honor to serve you.

With deepest gratitude,

Andy Weatherhead

NSELA Retiring President

Policy Brief

The Education Report is a weekly publication on education policy news from the Bose Public Affairs Group. The May 1 issue has several items that may be of interest to NSELA members, including:

Updates on the congressional budget process, including proposed changes at the federal Department of Education and testimony from Secretary of Education Linda McMahon
A panel by the American Enterprise Institute on the long-term structures key to literacy reform in Mississippi
A panel by the Brookings Institution on how AI toys and learning tools in early childhood are impacting child development
A house committee hearing on educational equity programs
A panel from the Urban Institute on how federal budget and policy changes are impacting K-12 education
The progress of guardrails for AI chatbots through the Senate Judiciary Committee

NSELA members can read the full issue at the link below.

Read the Education Report

ADVOCATE
Connecting with NSELA committees, events, and leaders.

Leadership Spotlight

Anthony Stetzenmeyer

Science Department Chair - Belleview High School

Belleview, MI (NSELA Region B)

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

Something in my leadership that I am most proud of is how I was able to use my skills and experience of “good PD” to organize our high school's professional development so it was intentional, meaningful and valuable. I was most proud of feedback given to myself and administration about the intentionality of thoughtfulness of our PD days, that have removed some of the dread of being “stuck” in the building for 3-7 hours.

What's the best advice anyone has given you as a science leader?

I think the best advice I have received as a science leader is understanding the spheres of control and making sure that the effort you put in will match the output you expect. When I reached my 5th year of teaching, I was feeling incredibly burnt out with the work I was doing; I would often question why I even tried to do something. It’s not until I took a moment to realize that I was trying to manage things outside of my control that I started to feel better about the work I was doing.

What advice do you have for those pursuing science leadership?

The best advice I would give to an emerging science leader would be to (1) make sure you have access to a mental health provider to unpack imposter syndrome and (2) being a leader does not mean knowing all the answers to all problems, it’s wanting to facilitate the discussion to find out together.

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.

Use the link (button) below to learn more about submitting an article AND/OR applying to be a reviewer. The column 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.

Submit an Article or Apply to be a Reviewer

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

Partnership Feature

This month we are pleased to feature Teachers' Curriculum Institute (TCI), a Gold Level Partner with NSELA.

What innovative approaches has your organization taken to empower science education leaders in K-12 settings?

Empowering science education leaders takes more than supplying materials. Leaders need a coherent instructional model, visibility into what's happening across

classrooms, and a curriculum that grows teacher capacity year over year.

That's where TCI puts its work. Our K-8 science programs are built on research-backed teaching strategies refined in real classrooms over decades. Storyline-driven units, anchoring phenomena, hands-on investigations, and engineering challenges give supervisors a consistent instructional approach from kindergarten through eighth grade. Our reporting dashboard gives administrators real visibility into how the program is being used, from license activity to in-app PD completion, integrations, and assessment performance. And our PD model is designed to deepen teacher skill over time, not just deliver a launch event.

How has your partnership with NSELA helped amplify your impact on science education leadership?

NSELA connects us directly to the people doing the actual work of science leadership across districts. Supervisors, coordinators, directors. It’s helped us shape our product roadmap, and how we think about supporting the K-8 science teachers who are often the most stretched. Beyond the day-to-day feedback, NSELA events, webinars, and collaborative initiatives give us a chance to learn from leaders who are already advancing the field.

What advice would you give to district and state science supervisors looking to strengthen science education leadership in their schools?

The strongest science programs we see live in districts where PD happens all year long, where experienced teachers lead sessions for their colleagues, and where the people closest to the classroom are trusted to shape what learning looks like. Build the collaboration around that. Make space for teachers to plan together, observe each other, and share what's working. Some of the best science instruction happens when departments stop operating as silos and start trading strategies on literacy, modeling, and inquiry. A culture of growth and shared learning is what turns a good curriculum into a strong program.

Affiliate Highlight

The Long Island Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Educational Leadership Association (LISTEMELA) recognized 22 teachers at their annual STEM Star Teacher Award Ceremony. The STEM Star Teacher Award was created to recognize educators who serve as a beacon of light for our students. The STEM Star recipients were selected for their exemplary

commitment to LISTEMELA's vision of equitable student access to high-quality STEM learning experiences.

Our STEM Star teachers represent all grade levels, K through 12. The stories shared by their administrators described vibrant, robust, creative, and engaging opportunities taking place in classrooms all across Long Island. These educators are described as innovative, student-centered leaders who bring STEM learning to life through creativity, inquiry, and authentic real-world experiences. Across classrooms, labs, and school communities, they foster curiosity, critical thinking, collaboration, and confidence while ensuring all students feel supported, challenged, and capable of success. Their work reflects a deep commitment to equity, hands-on learning, and the New York State Science Learning Standards. Furthermore, they passionately mentor colleagues, lead schoolwide initiatives, and expand opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Whether through robotics, research, environmental science, mathematics, healthcare, engineering, or technology education, these teachers inspire students to become problem-solvers, innovators, and lifelong learners while making a lasting impact on their schools and communities. Congratulations and thank you for your ongoing support of STEM teaching and learning!

Announcements

Safer STEM: 2026 CSSS Safety Manual Series - Developed through collaboration among the Council of State Science Supervisors, Safer STEM, Rutgers University, and Ward’s Science, this peer-reviewed and practitioner-informed manual series provides a cohesive, scalable framework for safer K–12 Science, STEM, and CTE instruction. Access the manual series here.

The Lawrence Hall of Science: 9-12 Science Survey - We are looking for the truth about what’s working and what’s getting in the way in Grades 9-12 science. Your feedback will directly shape how The Lawrence Hall of Science develops programs, instructional materials, and professional resources that can support the field of Grades 9-12 science in impactful ways. Complete the survey and learn more here.

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

STEM Course Safety Protocols for Science Certified Teachers Assigned to Teaching Technology and Engineering

Teachers in STEM instructional spaces should be aware of potential safety risks, but many schools don’t have enough certified teachers for their technology and engineering classes. This May 2026 safety blog addresses that issue in detail!

Read the Blog Post