Grants and Awards
Setting a High Standard – Judith Baumwirt
Judie Baumwirt of Granada Hills Charter High School (GHCHS) is the recipient of the 2008 American Chemical Society Division of Chemical Education Western Region Award for Excellence in High School Teaching. After a brief hiatus, this award has been reinstated with the selection of an outstanding teacher who represents the finest in chemical educators in this region. She will receive a $1,000 check from the ACS Division of Chemical Education and a Salute to Excellence plaque at the Education Awards Luncheon on Saturday, September 27 at the ACS Western Regional Meeting in Las Vegas (membership.acs.org/W/wrm2008).
According to the Selection Committee, “She truly blew us away with her accomplishments.” As the founder of both the Chemistry Teacher Support (CTS) Group (see http://www.hschem.org) and HSChem listserv (groups.google.com/group/HSChem), Judie is a leader in support for fellow chemical educators. Both internet resources serve not only the local San Fernando region, but have grown so popular that there are participants from all over the world! The wealth of resources she provides is remarkable and presented selflessly. According to the Director of Accountability and Technology at GHCHS, Pat Givant, “Ms. Baumwirt is a highly qualified professional and innovator in the field of chemistry and chemical education.”
All of Judie’s hard work and efforts are passionately dedicated to the benefit of her students. Again, according to Ms. Givant, “She challenges students to think critically about what they are learning and emphasizes the importance of clear communication skills and scientific writing” because “It is clear by Judie’s actions that she fully supports science for all students.” A former student of Judie’s reinforces this by saying, “that she (Judie) can develop personal relationships with each and every one of her students and make them feel important and worth her attention is even more astounding” and finally, “Her humility and openness to learn from her students, instead of lording her position over her students, has made her one of my favorite teachers, if not my favorite.”
As a recent recipient of the Outstanding High School Chemistry Teacher by this ACS Section (SCALACS) and by the Amgen Foundation, Judie is well on her way to national recognition. In my nomination letter as Chair of the Educational Affairs Committee for SCALACS, I state that, “In my over two-dozen years involvement in chemical education, Judie is the most selfless, hard working and inspirational high school chemistry teacher I have ever had the pleasure to know.” And so Judie Baumwirt truly does set a high standard for this award.
- Paul Shin
Educational Affairs Chair