Retired Indiana High School Biology Teacher Begins Term as 2015-2016 President of National Science Teachers Association

On June 1, Dr. Carolyn Hayes, a long time science educator from Indiana began her one-year term as president of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all.

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2015-2016 NSTA President Dr. Carolyn Hayes (Photo: Business Wire)

“We are excited to have Dr. Hayes on board as president,” said NSTA Executive Director Dr. David Evans. “She is a well-respected leader in the science education arena and we are fortunate to have her leadership and expertise at NSTA.”

Hayes brings years of leadership and teaching experience to NSTA through her work as a classroom teacher, college professor, science coordinator, author, and science consultant. In addition to having taught high school science for nearly 30 years in Indiana, Hayes worked in various positions at several universities since 1976, including Franklin College, Purdue University, University of Indianapolis, and Indiana University. Hayes also worked at the Central Indiana Educational Service Center as part of the professional development team.

An NSTA member since 1987, Hayes has contributed extensively to the association. She served as a district director, chaired the 2012 national conference in Indianapolis, worked on numerous committees, has written articles for The Science Teacher, and has presented several sessions at NSTA national and area conferences.

Hayes' devotion to science education is also evidenced by her involvement in numerous other professional organizations. In addition to HASTI and NSTA, she is a member of the Indiana Association of Biology Teachers, Pi Lambda Theta, and is a charter member of the Central Indiana Biology Focus Group. She was also a writer and facilitator of the Center Grove Community Schools Paper Recycling Grant (1999) and was the co-writer and facilitator of the Center Grove Curriculum Development Grant (1993). In 1991, Hayes’ was selected along with 49 other biology teachers from across the country to participate in the first ever Biology Institute at Princeton University and in 1992, she provided professional development as a member of the WWF Biology Traveling Team, both of which were sponsored by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. She also participated as an American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Fellow in 1995.

During her distinguished career, Hayes has received a number of honors and awards. Her accomplishments include receiving the STEM Conference Excellence in Science Education Award (2015), the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching, Secondary Science (2000), HASTI’s Distinguished Service Award (2001), the RadioShack National Teacher Award (2000), the Golden Apple Award (1997), IABT’s Creativity in Biology Teaching Award (1995), Geography Educators in Indiana’s Science Teaching Award (1988), the National Marine Educators’ Association’s (NMEA) Teaching Excellence Award, and the National Association of Biology Teachers’ Outstanding Biology Teacher Award (1986), just to name a few. Hayes was also a top 10 finalist for the Indiana Teacher of the Year in 1989.

Hayes earned a B.S. degree in biology from Indiana University in 1973, a M.S. degree in secondary education from Indiana University in 1976, and an Ed.D. in secondary education and biology from Indiana University in 2005.

About NSTA

The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA’s current membership includes approximately 55,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.

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