The Lehigh Valley Section Award for Excellence in High School Teaching
HIGH SCHOOL CHEMISTRY FACULTY!
KNOW AN OUTSTANDING COLLEAGUE WHO SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED BY THE LEHIGH VALLEY LOCAL SECTION?
KNOW AN OUTSTANDING COLLEAGUE WHO SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED BY THE LEHIGH VALLEY LOCAL SECTION?
THE LEHIGH VALLEY SECTION AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN HIGH SCHOOL
TEACHING
AWARD PROGRAM FOR 2027
Purpose: To recognize, encourage, and stimulate outstanding teachers of high school chemistry in the Lehigh Valley Section of the American Chemical Society
This Annual Award consists of a $2000 cash award and a certificate. A meal at the meeting of the Lehigh Valley section of the ACS at which the award will be presented will be paid. A certificate will also be provided to the recipient’s institution for display. The Winner's Application will be forwarded to the Mid Atlantic Regional ACS Division of Chemical Education Award for Excellence in High School Teaching for the following year.
Who May Nominate? Any individual, except a member of the award selection committee or
currently enrolled student of the nominee, may submit one nomination or support form in any
given year. Self-nominations with supporting letters from a colleague and the nominee’s area
coordinator or principal are accepted. Prior winners are members of the award selection
committee for 10 years post their award.
Who is Eligible? The nominee must be actively engaged in the teaching of chemistry or chemical
science in a high school (grades 9-12) on at least a half-time basis in Berks, Schuylkill, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton or Monroe counties in PA or Warren County NJ. The nomination should clearly demonstrate as many of the following attributes as possible:
• The quality of the nominee’s teaching; unusually effective methods of presentation should
be emphasized;
• The nominee’s ability to challenge and inspire students;
• Extracurricular work in chemistry or a chemical science by the nominee, including science
fairs, science clubs, and activities that stimulate the interest of young people in chemistry
and related sciences;
• A willingness to keep up to date in the field, as evidenced by the pursuit of a higher degree
in chemistry or a chemical science, enrollment in refresher courses and summer institutes,
regular attendance at scientific meetings, membership in professional organizations, and
other means of self-improvement;
• Evidence of leadership and/or active involvement within the profession.
2025 Awardee Mrs. Rachel Peters of Easton Area High School
currently enrolled student of the nominee, may submit one nomination or support form in any
given year. Self-nominations with supporting letters from a colleague and the nominee’s area
coordinator or principal are accepted. Prior winners are members of the award selection
committee for 10 years post their award.
Who is Eligible? The nominee must be actively engaged in the teaching of chemistry or chemical
science in a high school (grades 9-12) on at least a half-time basis in Berks, Schuylkill, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton or Monroe counties in PA or Warren County NJ. The nomination should clearly demonstrate as many of the following attributes as possible:
• The quality of the nominee’s teaching; unusually effective methods of presentation should
be emphasized;
• The nominee’s ability to challenge and inspire students;
• Extracurricular work in chemistry or a chemical science by the nominee, including science
fairs, science clubs, and activities that stimulate the interest of young people in chemistry
and related sciences;
• A willingness to keep up to date in the field, as evidenced by the pursuit of a higher degree
in chemistry or a chemical science, enrollment in refresher courses and summer institutes,
regular attendance at scientific meetings, membership in professional organizations, and
other means of self-improvement;
• Evidence of leadership and/or active involvement within the profession.
2025 Awardee Mrs. Rachel Peters of Easton Area High School
Required components of Nomination Portfolio:
The Awards Committee will consider only complete nomination portfolios which shall consist of:
o Nomination Portfolio Check List (Page 1), which shall serve as the Portfolio Cover Sheet;
o Nominator Information Form (Page 2);
o Nominee Information Form (Page 3);
o Nominator Recommendation of not more than 750 words submitted by the nominator according to the guidelines outlined on the Recommendation Form (Page 4);
o A current 2-page curriculum vitae or resume that includes a list of the nominee’s honors, professional activities, and additional evidence of service to the profession; NOTE: Limited to no more than two pages and the activities listed must have occurred within the past ten years.
o A statement by the nominee of not more than 500 words that describes the nominee’s teaching philosophy or commitment to the profession;
o At least one, but not more than three, letters of support. One letter, of no more than 400 words, must be from the teacher’s current principal or supervisor. Additional letters of support, of no more than 400 words, may be sent by colleagues, members of the American Chemical Society, who are familiar with the nominee’s achievements, or former students and parents of former students.
NOTE: Some commentary on student reaction to the work of the nominee in either the nominating letter or that of the current principal or supervisor is essential for a well-rounded portfolio.
Submit the nomination portfolio by e-mail attachment to LVACSTOTY@gmail.com by May 1st, 2027
***Please state award title in subject line, and the candidate’s name ***
LVACS Excellence in High School Teaching Past Awardees
The Awards Committee will consider only complete nomination portfolios which shall consist of:
o Nomination Portfolio Check List (Page 1), which shall serve as the Portfolio Cover Sheet;
o Nominator Information Form (Page 2);
o Nominee Information Form (Page 3);
o Nominator Recommendation of not more than 750 words submitted by the nominator according to the guidelines outlined on the Recommendation Form (Page 4);
o A current 2-page curriculum vitae or resume that includes a list of the nominee’s honors, professional activities, and additional evidence of service to the profession; NOTE: Limited to no more than two pages and the activities listed must have occurred within the past ten years.
o A statement by the nominee of not more than 500 words that describes the nominee’s teaching philosophy or commitment to the profession;
o At least one, but not more than three, letters of support. One letter, of no more than 400 words, must be from the teacher’s current principal or supervisor. Additional letters of support, of no more than 400 words, may be sent by colleagues, members of the American Chemical Society, who are familiar with the nominee’s achievements, or former students and parents of former students.
NOTE: Some commentary on student reaction to the work of the nominee in either the nominating letter or that of the current principal or supervisor is essential for a well-rounded portfolio.
Submit the nomination portfolio by e-mail attachment to LVACSTOTY@gmail.com by May 1st, 2027
***Please state award title in subject line, and the candidate’s name ***
LVACS Excellence in High School Teaching Past Awardees
