High School Ambassador Candidates

Lindsay Davis

Bryn Mawr, PA
Years of experience: 15–20
Current grade levels taught: 10, 11, 12

Teaching and Chemistry Interests

AACT—Dow Teacher Summit 2017; published in March 2019 Chemistry Solutions; peer reviewer for Chemistry Solutions

National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI)—Consultant for AP Chemistry study sessions in preparation for the AP exam; led sessions for AP teachers as well.

AP Chemistry Exam—AP Chemistry Reader 2012 & 2013

Chemistry at Baldwin—Partnered with the Kozlowski Lab at the University of Pennsylvania for a Baldwin student to participate in summer research; help students prepare for the SAT Chemistry Subject Test.

ACS Philadelphia Education and Community Outreach Committee led by Bill Smith.

Why I Want to Serve

I would like to serve as the high school ambassador on the governing board because AACT has given me so much and now I want to give back. I have a network of other chemistry teachers to turn to if I have questions or need suggestions that I would not have had if not for AACT. This is very important to me since I am the only chemistry teacher in my school. Before AACT, I don’t think that I would have felt comfortable trying to find a periodical in which to publish an article. Most chemistry periodicals are geared toward industrial chemistry. And, I don’t pretend to be an industrial chemist; I am a teacher who happens to teach chemistry. AACT has provided a missing piece for chemistry teachers, like me, who are truly teachers first. It is a safe environment to share ideas and thoughts without judgment. I am a better chemistry teacher for having access to AACT’s vast resources and supportive personnel. I want to help all chemistry teachers feel the same way that I do. I can do this with my vivacious, friendly personality and my organizational skills. I am extremely responsible and dedicated and will give my all to this position.

James Hill

Sacramento, CA
Years of experience: 30+
Current grade levels taught: 9, 10, 11, 12

Teaching and Chemistry Interests

Throughout my teaching career, I have taught all levels of chemistry: CP Chemistry, Chemistry I, II, and IB Chemistry as well as Chemistry for Nursing Students at the Junior College level. Currently, I have been teaching in the IB Middle Years and Diploma Program for 22 years. My lessons and student work have been evaluated internationally and have always met or exceeded the standards set by the IB program. In addition, I’ve been appointed as a senior examiner and team leader for the International Baccalaureate Organization. Mentoring and preparing students for the US Chemistry Olympiad is also a top priority.

Why I Want to Serve

Education is an ever-changing landscape that requires flexibility and innovation to serve the needs of the modern day student. After 39 years of service, I am still willing to design and implement new research-based technologies and instructional methods to improve my practice. NGSS is the latest challenge. I am currently participating in a multi-district Action Research group that will spearhead the training of science teachers in the area. I have an ongoing commitment to dynamic teaching and lifelong learning. I regularly serve as a mentor to other science teachers and provide feedback on teaching skills and curriculum development in order to ensure that the needs of our students continue to be met in a dynamic learning environment. This is an amazing and important time to be a student or teacher in science. New insights into science promises to transform human lives, and technology is moving forward at a furious pace. As teachers, we have existed for centuries, as holders and sharers of knowledge, and we constantly strive to pass this information along to our students.

Leslie Kovach

Richmond, VA
Years of experience: 30+
Current grade levels taught: 10, 11, 12

Teaching and Chemistry Interests

I have been teaching college prep, honors and AP chemistry for over 30 years in private and public schools as well as community college. I served as science department chair for 25 years. I have served as an AP Chemistry Reader and am currently a member of AACT, AMTA (American Modeling Teachers Association), VAST (Virginia Association of Science Teachers) and NSTA. Recently I have become very interested in the modeling program and completed a two-week workshop in August 2017. I am currently enrolled in an online course for the second half of the modeling curriculum in chemistry.

Why I Want to Serve

I believe that experienced teachers should always mentor other teachers, or at the very least, be willing to share ideas. Serving as an ambassador would allow me to share my love of teaching chemistry and my ideas with many others. Since I teach at a small private school, I have not had that many opportunities to collaborate with other chemistry teachers, although I do regularly read and sometimes contribute emails to the discussion groups of the AMTA, NSTA and AP Chemistry of the College Board. Despite my years of experience and the many lesson plans that I have accumulated, I have never been satisfied with the “status quo” and always search for new ways to present content and laboratory skills or techniques. Thus, I have developed numerous activities, labs and projects for my students that I would be glad to share. I am a strong candidate because I can provide a carefully considered viewpoint that represents teachers of high school chemistry given my perspective as a teacher with over 30 years experience. Writing an article would be a new challenge that I’d welcome, particularly in these later years of my career as I search for ways to serve the educational community that has been such an important part of my life.

Campaign Statement

As a high school ambassador for the AACT, it would be my goal to encourage collaboration among all teachers of chemistry at all levels, from elementary school to college. I have seen first hand how rewarding this type of collaboration can be. All it takes are willing participants! Consider planning a Family Science Night for a local elementary or middle school. Or contact a local university to see if they would be willing to host a group of high school students for an introductory experiment in the chemistry lab. As a high school ambassador, I would do my best to assist those who are interested in starting such programs. I believe it is our job as chemistry teachers to inspire our students to become future chemistry majors and future chemists! What better way than to show students the wonders of the world of chemistry.