Aug 12 2008

Illinois Biology Teacher of the Year

Published by Mike Cousineau at 2:39 pm under Central, Achievements, Association News

Hinsdale Central science teacher and former HHSTA-Central Vice President Kathy Gabric has a pretty impressive resume. A quick look reveals that she’s a member of the Rutgers-led group that landed a $2.55 million grant to advance high school biology and math, the Regional Director for the Benedictine University Science Olympiad Regional, Chairman of the Professional Excellence Committee Hinsdale Central, and has earned grants such as the GK-12 research Grant from the National Science Foundation and the Smithsonian Research and Diffusion Network Grant. She’s a pretty capable in the classroom as well. In light of this, Kathy has been recognized by the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) as their 2008 Illinois recipient of the Outstanding Biology Teacher award. NABT describes this award as follows:

“Every year, the Outstanding Biology Teacher Award (OBTA) program attempts to recognize an outstanding biology educator (grades 7-12) in each of the 50 states; Washington, DC; Canada; Puerto Rico; and overseas territories. Candidates for this award do not have to be NABT members, but they must have at least three years public, private, or parochial school teaching experience. A major portion of the nominee’s career must have been devoted to the teaching of biology/life science, and candidates are judged on their teaching ability and experience, cooperativeness in the school and community, inventiveness, initiative, and student-teacher relationships. OBTA recipients are honored at a special event during the NABT Professional Development Conference…”


Besides the national recognition, the local media has picked up on Kathy’s award:

After finishing her 20th year at Hinsdale Central High School, she was recognized as biology teacher of the year in Illinois.

[…]

Getting ready for labs before and after school, grading tests and coming up with a variety of class activities, Gabric easily dedicates 60 to 70 hours a week to helping Hinsdale Central students find an appreciation for biology.

“Every day is a new adventure and a part of that comes from the subject and a big part of that comes from the students I have,” she said. “I just hope my students take away an appreciation of the complexity and beauty of how life functions.”

Kathy will be recognized for being the Illinois biology teacher of the year at the upcoming District 86 school board meeting held on August 18th. Congratulations Kathy!

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