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By Dena Wood
The Times 

Nolan-Beasley Gains More Recognition

Presidential Award-winning teacher is now a semi-finalist for Shell Science Teaching Award

 

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Pam Nolan-Beasley works with students at a Family Science Night

WAITSBURG – Kindergarten students in Waitsburg now have even more to brag about when they describe their classroom teacher. Presidential Award-winner Pam Nolan- Beasley is now a national semi-finalist, being recognized as a cream-of-the-crop science teacher.

Nolan-Beasley was one of two Washington teachers awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching in 2012, She received a $10,000 cash award and a trip to Washington D.C.

Last week Nolan-Beasley was notified that she is a national semi-finalist – one of ten – to receive the Shell Science Teaching Award. The award recognizes one outstanding classroom science teacher (K-12) who has had a positive impact on his or her students, school, and community through exemplary science teaching.

Nolan-Beasley has over 30 years teaching experience and has taught in Waitsburg's high school, junior high and elementary schools. She's been teaching Waitsburg kindergarten long enough to see her first classes graduate high school.

Nolan-Beasley has a special enthusiasm for science and says it is something she does with her students every day. She believes in introducing science as early as possible because it is natural for young students to engage in inquiry – a characteristic she capitalizes on to get them excited and passionate about science and learning in general.

"I believe we are missing an opportunity, not only to inspire America's budding scientists, but to teach reading, writing, math, language, the arts and social studies though our students' love of science. The use of nursery rhymes, poetry, guided reading sets, songs, read aloud drama and design accelerate learning for both literacy and science," she said, describing her teaching philosophy.

Nolan-Beasley incorporates science into subjects such as reading, writing, language, and social studies, and makes it relevant to everyday events. For example, during the holidays, she will read students the story of "The Gingerbread Man," and have them hypothesize, and then experiment on what will happen if a gingerbread cookie really does get wet.

Nolan-Beasley believes science should be D.I.R.T.Y., with the acronym representing: D-Discovery, I – Inquiry-Inspired and Ingegrated, R – Real and Relevant, t-Tactile, and Y – for the young.

Last year, she got permission from the administration and custodial staff to use the school's outdoor courtyard – which was slated to be covered in ornamental rock – as a learning lab. Her students planted carrot and pumpkin seeds, studying life cycles and learning about plant needs through first-hand experience. Her students collected data in notebooks and shared their scientific learning on the hallway wall so that other students could benefit.

"This fall, my current class had a Carrot Snack Party with the (now) first graders after harvesting last year's crop. In the future, I am hoping to write a grant for an irrigation system, with the work completed by local engineers and technicians, along with assistance from our kindergarten apprentices," Nolan-Beasley wrote, in her award application.

Nolan-Beasley believes in involving the family and holds a Kindergarten Family Science Night each year with nearly 100% attendance.

"My students love teaching their families, and the parents and siblings love the challenge and involvement," she said.

In an award recommendation letter, Waitsburg Schools Superintendent Dr. Carol Clarke praised Nolan-Beasley for her support of colleagues, as well as her students.

"While in the classroom, Mrs. Beasley models exemplary science instruction. However, her willingness to share her expertise, knowledge and skills in teaching other elementary science teachers set her above her peers. She is a highly sought after 'teacher of teachers' in our region," Clarke wrote.

Nolan-Beasley is a member of the Next Generation Science Standards Facilitators' Cadre, an elite group of teacher-leaders who represents the district for science education reform, and develops original lessons, materials and resources that align with Next Generation Science Standards.

Times File Photo

Pam Nol;an-Beasley works with students in her classroom.

She is also a Science Fellow for the Waitsburg School District, serving as a science contact for colleagues and learning providers. She has presented 'Science for Our Youngest Learners' twice at the Washington State Preschool through Third Grade Starting Strong August Institute, and is looking forward to presenting at the NSTA National Conference in Nashville, Tenn. in 2016.

Nolan-Beasley's next step in the award process is to submit a 30-minute teaching video that demonstrates the teaching practices she described in her application. Judges will select three finalists from the submissions. They will visit the classrooms of the three finalists in late January and mid-February to see the teachers in action.

All three finalists will receive an expense-paid trip to attend the NSTA National Conference in Nashville this spring and will be honored at the teacher awards banquet. The award recipient will receive $10,000.

 

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