Joan Pease

ACS Division of Chemical Education 2010 Northeast Region Award for Excellence in High School Chemistry Teaching

Joan M. Pease is a graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Education, Joan received her BA in 1972 with a major in biology and minors in chemistry and math and her MS in Biology Education. She went on to additional graduate study at the UCONN’s School of Social Work. Since 1972, she has taught Biology, Ecology, Anatomy, Physiology, Physics, Earth Science Physical Science, and, of course, chemistry in a variety of Connecticut Valley area High Schools. She has taught at Hall High School in West Hartford since 2001.

In 1991, she is the originated the ongoing Chemistry of Action Chemistry Fair, a student laboratory research program. Since 1996, she has coached the Connecticut Valley Local Section Chemistry Olympiad team and her students consistently advance to the regional Olympiad. For the past eight years, she has led a school wide chemistry club in which approximately 25 students meet weekly to learn practice al applications, experiment the the lab, and prepare for the Olympiad. Her students are accustomed to her arriving early and staying late to insure that their needs are met.

Joan is equally as generous to her peers. She has been a leader in the integration of new technologies into the science program in the her district, revised the curriculum for the Conceptual Chemistry course, and recently participated in leading a POGIL workshop.

Joan has been honored with the ACS Science Educator Commendation (1998 – 2003, the Glastonbury Board of Education Commendation (1991 – 1992) and the Connecticut Valley Local Section 2008 Teacher of the Year award. She was a semifinalist for the Advance Placement Teacher of the Year Award in 2008, a nominee for the 1998 Presidential Award in Teaching Science and a National Outstanding Teacher of Year semifinalist in 1974. In 1997 and 2003 she was selected by her students to be included in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.

A former college student, whom Joan mentored during his first year of teaching at Hall, has the last words. "When it comes to a wonderful combination of altruism and professionalism, there really is no equal to Joan Pease. Having Joan as a mentor this year has been an exceptionally inspiring learning experience for me. Joan has never hesitated, in any respect, to perform her mentoring role with me this year. Because of this I am now a MUCH better teacher than I otherwise would have been in the absence of her mentoring."

Joan Pease will be receiving her award at the awards banquet.