As this is my first blog post, I’d like to introduce myself to the ChemEdX community. I currently teach Chemistry I, Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry, and AP Chemistry at The University High School of Indiana. I use the Chemistry Modeling Curriculum in my classroom and I am an active member of the American Chemical Society and American Modeling Teachers Association.
My membership in these professional organizations has been an invaluable asset to my teaching and professional growth as an educator. The AMTA has provided me with classroom resources and helped me connect with some of the most inspiring and dedicated educators I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Through my involvement with the ACS I‘ve worked with the Journal of Chemical Education, co-chaired the high school day of the National Meeting, and been nominated to the ACS High School Conceptual Exam writing committee. Each of these experiences has helped to me to become more reflective and innovative in my classroom instruction.
Unfortunately, in my experience, I found many high school teachers are unaware of the benefits, resources, and professional development opportunities available to them from these types of organizations. I was thrilled that the fall ACS meeting brought the exciting announcement of the creation of AACT, the American Association of Chemistry Teachers. (See Deanna's post about the AACT here.) It is my hope that with the establishment of this new organization high school teachers will become more involved with their local ACS sections.
The spring 2014 national ACS meeting is quickly approaching, but there is still time to register! The meeting is being held in Dallas, TX and Roxie Allen, the High School Day program chair, has a tremendous program planned especially for high school educators. Pre-college educators can even attend the entire meeting at a greatly reduced price!
What are some ways your local ACS or similar professional organizations could support you in your classroom?
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Comments 1
AACT for international teachers
Hi Erica,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts here on professional membership. I've gone back and forth over my career about memberships in professional organizations, but have recently begun to really appreciate the resources and connections I gain from these memberships.
As an international school teacher, I'm sometimes disconnected from my peers in the U.S., even though I've taught a very similar curriculum at each of my stops overseas. I'm very excited about the creation of the American Association of Chemistry Teachers. I've been thnking we needed our own association for years. I'm hopeful I'll be able to benefit from membership, even from afar.