I am honored and excited to be serving as the ASTA president for 2012. The important work of science teaching begins in our classrooms.  The goals I have for my students include learning to value lifelong learning, collaboration and involvement.  Being a member of ASTA allows us to model these things for our students and for other science educators. As ASTA president,  I will  encourage others to take advantage of the opportunity to be involved in a great organization where they can be of service to the science teachers and students of Arkansas, get to know and work with other dedicated professionals and continually update their own knowledge through the newsletter, conferences and listserv.

I have been asked about why we should be members of the Arkansas Science Teachers’ Association. There are benefits to being a member including teaching resources from the newsletter, website, listserv, conferences, workshops and mini-grants  provided by ASTA.   It is an organization which works for the benefit of science educators by keeping teachers, policy makers and the public informed about issues in science education. But for me, the major reason that we are members of ASTA is because we are professionals.  ASTA is the professional organization in our state for all science teachers.  We need to be involved, and ASTA needs our involvement.

During 2012, your ASTA board will be looking for ways to increase our membership.  I would encourage all of our members to get involved in this effort to invest in and invite other science teachers to become involved in ASTA.   If you have ideas for increasing membership or benefits to members, please contact me or another board member.  Because of the expertise and professionalism of members like you, I ask that you look around for other science teachers you can invest in.  Look for student teachers, interns, new teachers, and teachers new to your school or our state. Look for those who need support because of their personal life situations, those who are feeling burnt out by the demands of teaching, those who are involved in your school and district, and those who are really dedicated to their students.  All of these teachers need ASTA, and we need them.  Once you invest in them by assisting them and collaborating with them, invite them to be a part of our great organization!

 Cindy Cardwell