Menu
Log in
Forgot password



Log in

Member Login

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP


REGIONAL LEADERSHIP

 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
  ALL  EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP EDITORS ISSUE EXPERTS


President

Christine Hirst Bernhardt PhD
Arlington Virginia 
STEM Education Coordinator and Researcher, NOVA SySTEMic

Prior Profession:
16 years teaching high school ES, Astronomy, chemistry and engineering. Created an honors astronomy program and student space experiment program
10 years teaching undergraduate astronomy
Earth and Space content specialist for numerous curricula companies

Expertise:
Designing and delivering professional development for educators, curricular activities and education research related to Earth and Space sciences.

Accomplishments:

Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow, 2021-2022
Astronomical Society of the Pacific Excellence in Astronomy Teaching Award, 2021
I wrote all content for an honors astronomy course including space based design challenges and high altitude balloon experiments, and received a large grant from the State of California to design a career-based astronomy program for high school students.
Flew aboard NASA’s SOFIA mission

“It’s not that I’m so smart, I just stayed with the problem longer.” Einstein


President-Elect


Samantha Willsey

Bremen, Indiana

8th Grade Science Teacher, Bremen Public Schools


Prior Profession:
18 years in education (Earth/space and biomedical, international, higher education). 


Expertise:

BSEd Secondary  Earth/space science education

MSEd International and Comparative Education (Dec. 2026)


Accomplishments:

Indiana Teacher of the Year Top 10 Finalist ‘27

Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow (USGS) ‘23-24

Fulbright TGC Fellow (France) ‘22

“The land is the real teacher.” Robin Wall Kimmerer




Interim Executive Director


Peg Steffen

Iowa City, Iowa

Curriculum Writer

Prior Profession:
MS / HS Science teacher (25 yrs)

Program Manager—NASA & NOAA education (18 yrs)

Expertise:
Climate science, ESS, NGSS professional development

Accomplishments:

Designer/manager—NASA Explorer School

NOAA National Ocean Service Education Coordinator

NOAA Planet Stewards project lead

A foundation of knowledge in ESS is critical for all of Planet Earth's citizens. The more recent emphasis for these disciplines in NGSS is an opportunity to engage more K-12 students. Teaching & learning, especially the ESS are a lifelong passion for me and I hope to spark that in others



Past President


Belinda Jacobs

Pflugerville, TX


Prior Profession:

MS & HS Science Teacher (16 yrs)

Applied Aquatic Science/Environmental Systems

CC Adjunct geology instructor


Expertise:
Accessibility/Inclusivity in Geosciences & ES is for Everyone

Accomplishments:
Past President NESTA 

2016 Outstanding ES Teacher—Texas

Curriculum developer—NSF-funded DIG Texas Blueprints project

Secretary


Missy Holzer, PhD

Somerset, NJ

Science Education Consultant

Physical Geography Adjunct Professor

Prior Profession:
HS Earth, Space, Environmental Science Teacher (34 yrs)

Expertise:
Learning Sciences - Science Education
Accomplishments:

Visited all 50 of our wonderful States!

25+ years as a PD provider; NJ State Standards efforts;

Teacher at Sea (hydrography GA coast; hydrothermal vents OR; IPEV sediment Chile), Earthwatch Expedition Educator (Jamaica, Sierra Nevadas, Ecuador, Kenya)
PolarTREC Teacher '08 (Svalbard), AMS Maury Project.

 NASA SOFIA Ambassador, HHMI BioInteractive Ambassador, CLEAN Ambassador, AMS Certified Teacher

The world is a wonderful place beckoning our exploration. Go with an open mind & immerse yourself in all its splendor. Then come back & tells us about your experiences! This picture was taking in 2017 during a NESTA sponsored trip to Iceland.

Treasurer

 

Natalie Macke

Franklin Lakes, NJ
Science Teacher; Chemistry, AP Environmental Science &
various Earth Science electives (24 yrs)

Prior Profession:
Hydrogeologist for SCDHEC (long ago)
Expertise:
Climate Science Education, My NASA Data products

Accomplishments:

NOAA Teacher at Sea Participant—RV Oscar Dyson, Dutch Harbor;
Participant/grant recipient/author—NOAA Climate Steward Program;
International Ocean Discovery Program, School of Rock
“Exploring Ocean Cores & Climate Connections” Cape Town, South Africa




 Sitting at the Grand Canyon, still reminiscing on the wonders of ES




Board Member Representative
to the Executive Committee


Diane Ripollone

Raleigh, NC

Bio in Board of Directors

Board Member Representative
to the Executive Committee

Parker O. Pennington IV

Ann Arbor, MI

NESTA & MESTA Board / E-News Editor /
Rock Raffle Specialist (35 yrs)

Prior Profession:
MS, HS, & C. College ES / Environmental (30 yrs)

Expertise:
Leading Summer field conferences

Accomplishments:

Presented w/ my 9th grade ES teacher
(Dave Mastie) at conferences for decades

ES workshops—various levels

MI state supervisor MSO rock,
mineral & fossil event (20 years)

My grandfather taught in my district, my dad taught Conservation in my district. Both my brother and I became ES teachers--just seemed like the thing to do.

  

PAST OFFICERS

Executive Directors

1982-1992 Dr. Harold B. "Stoney" Stonehouse  
 1993-2006 Dr. M. Frank Watt Ireton 
  2006-2015 Dr. Roberta M. Johnson
2015-2020Dr. Carla McAuliffe

 Tenure President
Secretary  Treasurer
1983-1986  Jan Woerner Marilyn Miles  Rod Cranson
1986-1988  Sharon Stroud Carolyn Brockway Rod Cranson
1988-1990  Frank Watt Ireton Len Sharp Rod Cranson
1990-1992  Mike Burton Leslie Gordon  Rod Cranson
1992-1994  Len Sharp Michael Smith Bruce Hall
1994-1996  Linda Knight Michelle Bartlett Bruce Hall
1996-1998 Howard Dimmick Michelle Bartlett  Bruce Hall
1998-2000  Linda Selvig Michelle Bartlett Bruce Hall
2000-2002  Tom Ervin Linda Selvig Bruce Hall
2002-2004 Carl Katsu Linda Selvig Bruce Hall
2004-2006  Tom Ervin Linda Selvig Bruce Hall
 2006-2008  Parker Pennington IV Missy Holzer Bruce Hall
 2008-2010  Dr. Michael J. Passow Missy Holzer  Howard Dimmick
 2010-2012  Ardis Herrold Jenelle Hopkins Howard Dimmick
 2012-2014  Dr. Missy Holzer Jenelle Hopkins  Howard Dimmick
 2014-2016 Dr. Michael J Passow Lisa Alter Howard Dimmick
 2016-2018  Cheryl L.B. Manning Lisa Alter Howard Dimmick
 2018-2020  Belinda Jacobs Dr. Missy Holzer Howard Dimmick
 2020-2022  Dr. Richard Jones Dr. Missy Holzer Howard Dimmick / Parker Pennington IV
 2022-2022 John-Henry Cottrell  Dr. Missy Holzer Parker Pennington IV
2022-2024Natalie MackeDr. Missy HolzerParker Pennington IV
2024-2026Natalie MackeDr. Missy HolzerParker Pennington IV
2026-2028Dr. Christine Hirst Bernhardt  


 

  NOAA logo

American Geosciences Institute logo




 Stay Connected:

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software