On August 13, 2004, the National Science Resources Center hosted an afternoon event at the Smithsonian Castle for the teachers selected to the prestigious Teacher’s Advisory Council. A presentation was given on professional development by David Marsland, Co-director of the NSRC Professional Development Center. Sally Goetz Shuler, executive director, (shown here at right) closed the session with her remarks and left time for questions.

The Teacher's Advisory Council was established in November 2002, by one of the NSRC’s parent organizations, The National Academies. Its purpose is to advise the National Academies on matters related to education, especially teaching and learning in U.S. schools. The mission of the Council is to increase the usefulness, relevance, and communication of research to educational practice; help the research community develop new research that is informed by practice; provide advice about how other National Academies programs, initiatives, and recommendations can be most effectively implemented in schools; and offer guidance about how the National Academies can best communicate with the teaching community in the United States.

The Council currently consists of a core group of 11 teachers representing the sciences, mathematics, and technology. These outstanding teachers represent elementary, middle, and secondary grade levels, urban and rural settings, and schools considered “good” as well as those currently deemed as “failing.” Qualifications for both core group and at-large members include a minimum of 50 percent of working time spent in the classroom with students and demonstrated professional leadership. At least one core group member representing each grade band is board certified by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. Several Council members are Presidential Awardees for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

The 2004 Teacher Advisory Council includes, Dayo Akinsheye, Seaton Elementary School, Washington, DC; Mohamed Shareef Bacchus, Hilsman Middle School, Athens, GA; Wanda Bussey, Rufus King High School, Milwaukee, WI; Peggy Carlisle, Pecan Park Elementary School, Jackson, MS; Elizabeth Carvellas, Essex High School, Essex Junction, VT; Ruth Casey, Anderson County High School, Lawrenceburg, KY,; Lyn Countryman, Price Lab School, Cedar Rapids, IA; Javier Gonzales, Pioneer High School, Whittier, CA; Valdine McLean, Pershing County High School, Lovelock, NV; C.Ford Morishita, Clackamas High School, Portland, OR; Philip Sumida, Maine West High School, Des Plaines, IL.

For additional information or to offer comments, contact Barbara Schulz, Teacher Leader, at [email protected].