NSTA Honors Teachers With 2026 Shell Urban Science Educators Development Awards

MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National Science Teaching Association today announced the teachers who were honored with the annual Shell Urban Science Educators Development Award. The awardees (listed below) were formally recognized for their achievement during an award ceremony at the NSTA National Conference on Science Education in Anaheim, California, in April.

Shell Urban Science Educators Development Awardees

• Nana Baffour, science teacher, David Crockett Middle School, Richmond, Texas
• Jalavender Clowney, science teacher, Saluda Trail Middle School, Rock Hill, South Carolina
• Sierra Graves, science teacher, Thrive Christian Academy, Tucker, Georgia
• Kinya Heard, science teacher, Park Forest Middle School, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Danielle English Jones, science teacher, Proviso West School, Hillside, Illinois
• Tiffany Scott, science teacher, Grovetown Elementary School, Grovetown, Georgia
• Stephanie Trimble, science teacher, Brusly Elementary School, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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

“This award recognizes the exceptional science teaching of these seven educators,” said Beverly DeVore-Wedding, PhD, president of NSTA. “These dedicated teachers engage their students in real-world science, sparking curiosity and wonder in their students while also raising the visibility of science education in their communities.”

Each of the teachers received $1,800 for expenses to attend NSTA’s National Conference on Science Education in Anaheim, which took place April 15–18.

More information about the Shell Urban Science Educators Development Award and the NSTA Teacher Awards Program can be found online at https://www.nsta.org/awards-and-recognition-program.

About NSTA

The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) is a vibrant community of 35,000 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. For more information, visit www.nsta.org, or following NSTA on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, or Bluesky.