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1-29-16 — Skoczek Named Earth Science Teacher of the Year
Jan. 29, 2016 ~ Marsha Skoczek, a teacher in the 21st Century Geosciences program, housed at Olathe North High School, has been named the Earth Science Teacher of the Year by the Kansas Geological Foundation (KGF) and the Kansas Earth Science Teachers Association (KESTA).
The KGF and KESTA cooperatively award a grant to the Earth Science Teacher of the Year. The $1,000 award is given to an educator who demonstrates a unique style and enthusiasm for teaching students about science in the classroom.
Each year KESTA sends information to schools in Kansas requesting nominations for the award. Once the selection is made the recipient is invited to attend the KGF Annual Meeting to receive the award plaque and the $1,000 that accompanies the award.
"Marsha is an accomplished, passionate earth science teacher who not only brings excellent learning opportunities to her own students, but also provides earth science professional development for K-12 teachers, thereby enhancing earth science learning for countless students," said Carol Williamson, Master Teacher, U Kan Teach, KU Center for Science Education and former Olathe district science coordinator who nominated Skoczek for the award.
Skoczek is in her 20th year of teaching, her 19th in the Olathe School District and her sixth year at Olathe North.
Skoczek leads the Geoscience seniors in research projects and on field trips, near and far. She seeks community collaborators to bring real-world learning to her students, including the City of Olathe's Geographic Information Systems department, Fort Hays State University Geosciences Department and the Johnson County Storm Water Management District.
She also spent two weeks during the summer of 2012 cruising up and down the southeastern seaboard collecting data through the Teacher at Sea program sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
She was honored at the KGF Annual Meeting this month.