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National Science Teaching Association Welcomes New Board and Leadership Council Members

Business Wire

The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) today announced the newest members of its Board of Directors, as well as the members comprising its Leadership Council.

“At NSTA, strong leadership is essential to advancing excellence and innovation in science education,” said Bob Lay, Chief Executive Officer, NSTA. “We are excited to welcome our newly elected Board and Leadership Council members, whose expertise, vision, and commitment to educators and students will help guide our continued efforts to support high-quality science teaching and learning for all.”

As part of a significant governance revision, the former council structure transitioned in 2025 into a new leadership body known as the Leadership Council, composed of 10 District Leaders and 18 Division Leaders. NSTA also welcomed four new members to its Board of Directors, including the President-Elect and three At-Large Directors. Following the passing of one of the newly elected District Leaders last month, the Leadership Council currently includes nine District Leaders, and NSTA plans to fill the vacancy in the coming weeks.

The NSTA Board of Directors is composed of 13 members who oversee the association’s finances, policies and procedures, and strategic planning. Newly elected members include

  • Dat Le, PhD, NSTA President-Elect

    K–12 Supervisor of Science, Arlington Public Schools, Arlington, Virginia

  • Beth Pesnell, At-Large Director

    Teaching Assistant Professor, Kansas State University, College of Education, Manhattan, Kansas

  • Omah M. Williams-Duncan, At-Large Director

    Associate Professor of STEM Teacher Education, University of Houston Clear Lake, Houston, Texas

  • Jesse Wren, At-Large Director

    Lower School Teacher at Riverfield Country Day School, and Adjunct Professor at Rockhurst University, Tulsa, Oklahoma

The 28-member Leadership Council shall inform the Board of important external trends, opportunities, and threats; create and nurture communities at the state level and within professional interests; identify potential partnerships, oversee position statements, chair regional and division committees, and foster relations with NSTA state chapters and affiliated groups. Newly elected Leadership Council members include

  • Kelly Rhea Moore, District VI Leader (NC, SC, TN)

    Assistant Professor, Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville, Tennessee

  • Cecelia Gillam, District VII Leader (AR, LA, MS)

    Science Teacher, Benjamin Franklin High School, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Matthew Bulman, District XII Leader (IL, IA, WI)

    Department Chair and Teacher (non-administrative), St. Charles East High School, St. Charles, Illinois

  • Amy Tankersley, District XIII Leader (NM, OK, TX)

    Assistant Professor of Science Education, University of Central Oklahoma, Bethany, Oklahoma

  • Samantha Ur, District XVIII Leader (Canada)

    Teacher, Four Winds Public School, Morinville, Alberta, Canada

  • Rochelle L. Darville, Multicultural/Equity in Science Education Division Leader

    STEM Teacher, Iberville Elementary School, Plaquemine, Louisiana

  • Lorraine Ramirez Villarin, Preservice Teacher Preparation Division Leader

    Associate Professor of Science Education, University of North Georgia, Dahlonega, Georgia

  • Julianne A. Wenner, Research in Science Education Division Leader

    Associate Professor of Science Education, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina

For a complete listing of the NSTA Board of Directors and Leadership Council, visit https://www.nsta.org/leadership.

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 Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, or Bluesky.

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