Shell and NSTA Announce 2021 Shell Urban Science Educator Development Award Winners

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Shell Oil Company and the National Science Teaching Association today announced the recipients of the annual Shell Urban Science Educator Development Award. In lieu of the in-person event that typically takes place annually at the NSTA National Conference, the awardees (listed below) were formally recognized in May for their achievement during a virtual award ceremony.

Shell Urban Science Educator Development Awardees:

• Shavonne Bragg, Elementary Science Teacher, Double Tree Elementary School, Memphis, Tennessee
• Alexander Eden, Biology Teacher, Greater Lowell Technical High School, Methuen, Massachusetts
• Michelle Ellis, Science Teacher, Hunter Huss High School, Gastonia, North Carolina
• Carla Marie Neely, Elementary Science Teacher, Warner Girls Leadership Academy, Cleveland, Ohio
• LaShan Rose, Science Teacher, Lindley Academy Charter School at Birney, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Cenia A. Santana, Science Teacher, Sleepy Hollow High School, Sleepy Hollow, New York
• Tiffany Scott, Fifth Grade Science Teacher, Luling Elementary School, Luling, Louisiana
• Erica Stephens, Elementary STEM Teacher, John P. Freeman Optional School, Memphis, Tennessee
• John Carlo Tulinao, First Grade STEAM Teacher, Amberlea Elementary School, Phoenix, Arizona
• Leslie White, Middle and High School Science Specialist, Duval County Public Schools, Jacksonville, Florida
• Nakia Williams, Elementary Science Teacher, Lukeville Elementary School, Brusly, Louisiana

“Diverse science teachers serving in challenging environments must receive professional development to engage all students in inquiry-based and hands-on activities,” said Frazier Wilson, VP, Shell Oil Company Foundation Director, Workforce Development and Diversity Outreach. “Our investment in their development will also create a pipeline for their participation in science leadership initiatives while strengthening recruitment and retention of technical and inventive talent from underrepresented groups that will help solve the complex problems of today’s world and its future.”

Created for K–12 classroom science teachers in urban settings, the Shell Urban Science Educator Development Award is designed to help strengthen quality science teaching and enhance teacher content knowledge.

“We all know the value of a great teacher, and every one of these award winners has proven themselves to be both outstanding and inspirational,” said Dr. Elizabeth Allan, NSTA Retiring President.

Each of the teachers received $1,800 and expenses to attend NSTA’s Engage: Spring21 virtual conference, which took place April 12-May 8.

More information about the Shell Urban Science Educator Development Award and the NSTA Teacher Awards Program can be found online at http://www.nsta.org/about/awards.aspx.

About Shell Oil Company

Shell Oil Company is an affiliate of the Royal Dutch Shell plc, a global group of energy and petrochemical companies with operations in more than 70 countries. In the U.S., Shell operates in 50 states and employs more than 20,000 people working to help tackle the challenges of the new energy future.

About NSTA

The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) is a vibrant community of 40,000 science educators and professionals committed to best practices in teaching science and its impact on student learning. NSTA offers high quality science resources and continuous learning so that science educators grow professionally and excel in their career. For new and experienced teachers alike, the NSTA community offers the opportunity to network with like-minded peers at the national level, connect with mentors and leading researchers, and learn from the best in the field.