The ACS Division of Chemical Education Northeast Region Award for Excellence in High School Teaching

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2012 HS teacher award winner David Hostage

The purpose of this award is to recognize, encourage, and stimulate outstanding teachers of high school chemistry in the Northeast Region. The Northeast Region of the ACS consists of the following Local Sections in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont, which include the Binghamton, Central Massachusetts, Connecticut Valley, Cornell, Corning, Eastern New York, Green Mountain, Maine, Mid-Hudson, New Haven, Northern New York, Penn-York, Rhode Island, Rochester, Syracuse, Western Connecticut and Western New York ACS Local Sections.

A nominee for this award must be actively engaged in the teaching of chemistry or a chemical science in a high school (grades 9-12) on at least a half-time basis. The nomination must 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

THE 2012 RECIPIENT OF THIS AWARD

David Hostage
Science Teacher
The Taft School
110 Woodbury Road
Watertown, CT 06795


NOMINEE INFORMATION

David Hostage’s usual academic assignment includes AP Chemistry (grades 11-12) and Honors Chemistry (grades 10-11). In some years, he adds a section of Accelerated Chemistry (grade 10) or an elective in organic chemistry or biochemistry (grades 11-12). Although he is no longer an active coach, he helps to officiate soccer games, track meets, or others as needed. David helps his students with their participation in chemistry activities like Chemathon and the ChemOlympiad (he has helped to write and grade the latter for many years).

David’s activity within the AP Chemistry program continues at a high level. Following his service on the Test Development Committee, he has contributed multiple-choice and free-response questions for years. He presents workshops during the academic year and the summer. At the grading of the AP exam each year, he has been a Reader, Table Leader, and Question Leader.

During this year of an academic sabbatical leave, David has been completing a Sixth Year Diploma in the Department of Environment Science and Science Education at Connecticut State University. Projects with the College Board, Educational Testing Service, and ACT have also kept him busy. Recently he presented for the College Board at a “train the trainers” weekend as teachers all prepare for a new curriculum (especially labs) for AP Chemistry

BIO INFORMATION

EDUCATION

1972 Diploma cum laude, Hopkins Grammar School, New Haven, CT; Cum Laude Society 1976 Bachelor of Arts (biology), Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT 1981 Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (chemistry and geology), Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 1991 Certificate of Advanced Study (chemistry and biology), Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 2012 (expected) Sixth Year Diploma (Institute of Science Instruction and Study), Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

1976-1980 The Cate School, Carpinteria, CA. Science master, admissions officer, dormitory head, coach. 1980-1984 Advanced Products Co., North Haven, CT. Sales engineer. 1984-present The Taft School, Watertown, CT

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Teaching: Advanced Placement Chemistry, Biology, Honors Biology, Honors Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Integrated Science, and many Advanced Topics courses
  • Head of Science Department, 1991-1998 and 2004-2010. Responsible for leadership of Science Department faculty and facility; planning and coordination of school and architects for design and construction of new science building; strategic planning of department agenda; science curriculum coordination; department budgeting and ordering; maintenance of technology and equipment; advising, implementing, and monitoring student schedules; interacting with the Headmaster, Dean of Faculty, and Dean of Academic Affairs in leading faculty and counseling students; hiring, mentoring, and training new science teachers; evaluation of department faculty.
  • Instructor, Taft Educational Center. Workshops in AP Chemistry, chemistry, and biology, 1989-1995, 2011-present.
  • Director, Taft Educational Center, 1995-2011. Planned and implemented a 90+ workshop AP Summer Institute. Recruited 60+ instructors and 900+ participants each year from all fifty states and more than fifty countries. Identified by the College Board as "the gold standard of APSI."
  • Member of the Educational Policies Committee, Professional Evaluation and Growth Committee, Benefits Advisory Committee, Independent Studies Committee, Information Resources Committee (chair).

NON-ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Faculty advisor; dormitory adjunct, School Duty officer; coach of basketball, tennis, lacrosse, and skiing teams. Advisor to teams for science competitions ChemOlympiad, Chemathon, National Science Bowl, National Engineering Design Competition, JETS-TEAM.

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Henry L. Hillman Chair 2009-2014, awarded to “an outstanding member of the faculty whose mastery as a classroom teacher has inspired intellectual excellence among students and faculty alike.”
  • Connecticut Valley Section of ACS High School Teacher Award 2010
  • New England Institute of Chemists Secondary School Chemistry Teacher Award 2008 (Connecticut)
  • William and Lee Abramowitz Award 2004, presented annually to that teacher who made his subject matter come alive and thereby instilled enthusiasm and a love of learning among his or her students.
  • ETS Test Development Committee for AP Chemistry, 1997-2001 and adjunct 2002-present.
  • ETS Test Reader, Table Leader, and Question Leader for grading of AP Chemistry examination, 1994-present.
  • College Board-endorsed Consultant for AP Chemistry; presented workshops for beginning and experienced teachers in CT, MA, ME, NH, MN, RI, WA, TX, Canada, and online.
  • College Board-endorsed Director of AP Summer Institute.
  • College Board Endorsement Panel for consultants and summer institutes; APSI Advisory Panel
  • College Board APCentral website, founding Content Advisor and reviewer.
  • Rice University Advanced Placement Digital Library, reviewer.

PAST AWARD WINNERS:

2004   Jamie Cucinotta (Fayetteville-Manlius High School - Manlius, NY)

2005   Charles DiSapio (Greenwich High School - Greenwich, CT)

2006   Brenda From (Manhattan High School for Girls - New York, NY)

2008   Steve Lantos (Brookline High School - Brookline, MA)

2009   Diana J. Simpson (Seton Catholic Central High School Binghamton, New York)

2010   Joan Pease (Hall High School - West Hartford, CT)