Central Section

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan,
Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, and southern and western Ontario

NAGT Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Award

Information about the Award. (On the National NAGT Website)

In addition to the Sectional Winner Awards, in the Central Section, State OEST winners receive:

• a 9x12 black enamel plaque on simulated walnut
• a complimentary registration at the next NC-GSA meeting.
• a complimentary ticket to the Central Section NAGT luncheon business meeting at the next NC-GSA meeting.

Apply Online

2007 Section OEST Award Winner

Mr. Paul Varsho is the 2007 Central Section recipient of NAGT's OEST Award. Paul graduated in 1977 from the University of Wisconsin - Madison with a BA in Secondary Education. In 1983, he received a MA in Professional Development from the University of Wisconsin - Stout.

Paul is an outstanding example of dedication, knowledge, ingenuity, and professionalism in an educator. A teachers at Menomonie Middle School for 27 years, Paul embodies the philosophy that "each child should develop a love of learning and of the natural world, to question why and how things occur, and to develop the thinking skills needed to be literate, contributing citizens in modern society." He uses creative hands-on classroom activities and home and community based assignments to engage his students. Paul is known for his enthusiasm which "is backed up by a solid understanding of how to affect student learning, and the ability to reach the whole range of students from the most gifted to the most challenged."

Paul has been a science Olympiad coach since 1987, going to National six time. He is currently involved in development of the Harvard-based SPARCS teaching reform assessment initiative. He has been selected to participate in a UCAR workshop of Modeling in the geosciences and a NASA Program to evaluate Centennial of Flight Engineering Design Challenges. Paul has also been involved with the Boy Scouts of America, is active in the Wisconsin Central Education Association, and is a member of the Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers.

His accomplishments include a Fullbright Memorial Fund Teacher Award in 2002, JASON VI Teacher Argonaut SElection in 1995, the Wisconsin STate Science Teachers Regional Award for Excellence in Science Education in 1990, and receiving National Board Certification in the Area of Adolescent/Young Adulthood Science in 2002.

2007 State OEST Award Recipients

Iowa - Ms. Amanda Schiller of Donnellson, IA, is highly respected by her colleagues, students, and community. Amanda is described as a "supportive and encouraging" teacher who "takes lessons to the next level, involving hands-on excellence in her classroom, resulting in an open-ended research based opportunity for students to formulate their own scientific ideas." She has taught earth science for four years and is known for her adaptability and cooperative spirit. Amanda is also known for her ability to motivate student learning. "She hooks them into learning about earth science and then feeds these concepts into their immense curiosity about science." She contributes to the community through a number of volunteer activities and has participated in a number of professional development opportunities.

Ohio - Mrs. Chantelle M. Rose of St. Paris, OH, has been teaching for eleven years and is very active in professional development, curriculum development, and bringing "real science" to life for her students. Chantelle is considered "a dedicated, student-centered, creative teacher" by her colleagues, students, and community. She encourages and empowers her students to participate in scientific research through her professional development contacts. Chantelle is a creative and innovative teacher who works with all students to achieve in science. She created a science course, "Science in Ohio," to motivate students to understand and appreciate the science in their state. Chantelle's professional services is exemplary and she is known for bringing science from her classroom into the community and beyond.