Our All-Star Educator Judges
Lead Judge Annie Galvin Teich has spent her career in education and edtech with significant experience in product development, editorial, sales, and marketing. For “Teachers Pick Best of STEM”, Annie is charged with selecting our educator judges and ensuring that all products/services receiving the “Best of STEM” award are chosen solely by educators.
As a magazine publisher, product creator, and sales and marketing expert, she has extensive understanding about what teachers need to succeed in the classroom and what district administrators need to manage their learning communities’ goals and objectives. As Publisher of Learning Magazine, she led the team that founded the Teachers’ Choice Awards program, the first education awards program to use classroom teachers to evaluate product efficacy in the classroom. Annie also has experience as a multi-year CODIE judge and other award programs for education associations.
Working in both K-12 and higher education, Annie has been a longtime contributing editor to Tech & Learning and now writes for Fierce Education, an online higher education media brand. She also works directly with EdTech companies on marketing strategy and content marketing about emerging technology and changing pedagogy as schools recalibrate their instructional programs in the digital world. She is serving as a special advisor to Catapult X for the Educators Pick Best of STEM awards.
Meet Your 2023 Educator Judges
Dr. Linda Johnson-McClinton
Educator, ``Teacher-Preneur,`` and President of Enriching Explorations in Engineering, Inc.
Dr. Linda Johnson-McClinton has been an educator for 25+ years. She is the president of her own STEM education company, Enriching Explorations in Engineering, Inc. As an active community member, Linda has worked with team members to create Nevada’s statewide STEM rubric and assists with school “learning walks” with a focus of STEM. As a “teacher-preneur”, she presents at various educational conferences to discuss the importance of diversifying STEM to include and support the needs of underrepresented groups. Currently, Linda serves as a judge for the Best of STEM awards program.
Dr. Lance Brand
Teacher Leader and Milken National Educator
Dr. Lance Brand has taught science for 23 years in middle/high schools and college. Lance is currently teaching at Delta High School in rural Indiana and has served as a teacher leader on their innovative learning and technology committee for more than ten years. He completed his doctorate in science education and biology in 2011 from Ball State University with a research focus on critical thinking development utilizing case study, and PBL instruction. Lance was recognized as a Milken National Educator in 2005.
Dr. Jeffrey Crapper
TOSA for Beaverton School District
Dr. Jeffrey Crapper is a teacher on special assignment (TOSA) for the Beaverton School District in Oregon. Prior to this position, Jeff has taught Biology, Physics, Math, Engineering, Firefighting, English as a Second Language, Physical Education, Health and Health Sciences CTE courses for 21 years. He most recently taught at Beaverton Academy of Science and Engineering (BASE) in Beaverton, where he started their medical assisting and pharmacy technology programs. He has a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training, Exercise Science, and Health Education with a Minor in Psychology from Linfield College and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Oregon State University. He was recognized as the 2021 Oregon ACTE Teacher of the Year, 2019 ACTE National Health Science Teacher of the Year and as the 2017 OSTA Oregon High School Science Teacher of the Year.
Kim Collazo
Digital Integration Facilitator
Kim Collazo is a retired public school educator with over 30 years of experience in elementary education. She has always been passionate about STEM education and was awarded an NC State Kenan Fellowship creating multi-user, immersive, online science games for elementary students. She has presented on STEM in the elementary classroom, closing the gender gap in elementary STEM, and integrating STEM and literacy. In addition to her work in the classroom, she has been an elementary STEM lab teacher and district Digital Integration Facilitator. Kim is a published STEM picture book author, including The Emersyn Blake Series.
Christina A. Wilson
Project-Based Learning (PBL) Elementary School Teacher, Adjunct Professor, and Instructional Coach
Christina Ann Wilson has over fifteen years of combined experience as an educator, adjunct professor, and instructional coach. As a project-based learning (PBL) elementary school teacher, Christina mobilized real world applicable learning experiences through usage of engineering design technological resources. Through this science technology framework, she taught primary grade students to design 3-D prototype model inventions that fix problems in this world. These invention designs were then officially published in a class book. In addition, Christina has also achieved success in the science education realm as an instructional coach for the Science Better Lesson Master Teacher Project. By the end of this project, Christina Wilson had coached a team of Master Teachers to produce hundreds of NGSS lessons, resources, and units for global online usage.
Jamica Craig
Middle School Math
Jamica Craig is a dedicated Math and Science Educator with nearly a decade of experience. She currently serves as a 6-8 Instructional Coach at Prospect Schools- Clinton Hill Middle School. She has a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Mathematics. Jamica has previously served as the founding Deputy Director of Applied Science for an XQ Super School in Brooklyn, NY. She believes that all students should see themselves as capable of doing math and asserts that classrooms thrive when students’ lived experiences are seen as assets that contribute to the richness of the concepts studied.
Erin Barr
K12 Teacher and STEM Leader
Erin Barr is an experienced K-12 teacher and STEM leader and advocate. She integrates STEM topics across the K-12 curriculum at the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind where she teaches math, science, computer science, ELA and art. Erin has participated in extensive professional development in STEM topics, such as EPIC Games, NASA, Engineering, and hydrology. She is also an experienced judge and product evaluator for numerous educational organizations. With teaching certifications in elementary education (K-8), English as a Second Language (K-12), and Special Education (PK-12), Erin is a committed educator dedicated to helping all students learn.
Meet Your 2022 Educator Judges
Dr. Linda Johnson-McClinton
Educator, ``Teacher-Preneur,`` and President of Enriching Explorations in Engineering, Inc.
Dr. Linda Johnson-McClinton has been an educator for 25+ years. She is the president of her own STEM education company, Enriching Explorations in Engineering, Inc. As an active community member, Linda has worked with team members to create Nevada’s statewide STEM rubric and assists with school “learning walks” with a focus of STEM. As a “teacher-preneur”, she presents at various educational conferences to discuss the importance of diversifying STEM to include and support the needs of underrepresented groups. Currently, Linda serves as a judge for the Best of STEM awards program.
Dr. Lance Brand
Teacher Leader and Milken National Educator
Dr. Lance Brand has taught science for 23 years in middle/high schools and college. Lance is currently teaching at Delta High School in rural Indiana and has served as a teacher leader on their innovative learning and technology committee for more than ten years. He completed his doctorate in science education and biology in 2011 from Ball State University with a research focus on critical thinking development utilizing case study, and PBL instruction. Lance was recognized as a Milken National Educator in 2005.
Jeffrey Crapper
TOSA for Beaverton School District
Jeffrey Crapper is a teacher on special assignment (TOSA) for the Beaverton School District in Oregon. Prior to this position, Jeff has taught Biology, Physics, Math, Engineering, Firefighting, English as a Second Language, Physical Education, Health and Health Sciences CTE courses for 21 years. He most recently taught at Beaverton Academy of Science and Engineering (BASE) in Beaverton, where he started their medical assisting and pharmacy technology programs. He has a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training, Exercise Science, and Health Education with a Minor in Psychology from Linfield College and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Oregon State University. He was recognized as the 2021 Oregon ACTE Teacher of the Year, 2019 ACTE National Health Science Teacher of the Year and as the 2017 OSTA Oregon High School Science Teacher of the Year.
Ann Hammersly
Physics and Chemistry Educator
Ann Hammersly is an educator with more than 30 years’ experience as a high school science teacher and department chair and who has used technology extensively in her classroom. She has developed curricula for her own district as well as for Discovery Channel, Arizona State University, and the Musical Instrument Museum, among others. She now is a consultant who assists teachers in incorporating technology into their laboratories to enhance three-dimensional instruction.
Christina A. Wilson
Project-Based Learning (PBL) Elementary School Teacher, Adjunct Professor, and Instructional Coach
Christina Ann Wilson has over fifteen years of combined experience as an educator, adjunct professor, and instructional coach. As a project-based learning (PBL) elementary school teacher, Christina mobilized real world applicable learning experiences through usage of engineering design technological resources. Through this science technology framework, she taught primary grade students to design 3-D prototype model inventions that fix problems in this world. These invention designs were then officially published in a class book. In addition, Christina has also achieved success in the science education realm as an instructional coach for the Science Better Lesson Master Teacher Project. By the end of this project, Christina Wilson had coached a team of Master Teachers to produce hundreds of NGSS lessons, resources, and units for global online usage.
Jamica Craig
Middle School Math
Jamica Craig is a dedicated Math and Science Educator with nearly a decade of experience. She currently serves as a 6-8 Instructional Coach at Prospect Schools- Clinton Hill Middle School. She has a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Mathematics. Jamica has previously served as the founding Deputy Director of Applied Science for an XQ Super School in Brooklyn, NY. She believes that all students should see themselves as capable of doing math and asserts that classrooms thrive when students’ lived experiences are seen as assets that contribute to the richness of the concepts studied.
Kim Collazo
Digital Integration Facilitator
Kim Collazo has been a public school educator for over 30 years. She has experience teaching 3rd-6th grade. She holds North Carolina licensure in Regular and Special Education, Academically/Intellectually Gifted, has National Board Certification, and was awarded an NC State Kenan Fellowship creating multi-user, immersive, online science games for elementary students. She has presented on STEM in the elementary classroom, closing the gender gap in elementary STEM, and integrating STEM and literacy. In addition to her work in the classroom, she has been an elementary STEM lab teacher, district Digital Integration Facilitator. Kim is the author of Emersyn Blake and the Spotted Salamander, a children’s STEM book.
2021 Judges
Jerry D. Valadez
K-12 Science Coordinator and CEO of SAM Academy
Jerry D. Valadez is recognized as a State and National leader in urban and rural K-12 STEM education and in designing successful practices in both formal and informal settings. He is also an experienced STEM awards and competitions program judge. Jerry is an advocate for underserved youth, a Maker, CEO of the Community Science Workshop Network and co-founder and President of the SAM Academy and the Roving Community Science Workshop – all non-profits that provide underserved youth in isolated rural communities access to quality in-school and out-of-school STEM and Arts experiences.
Deena Pierott
Social Impact Entrepreneur and Founder of iUrban Teen
Deena Pierott is a Social Impact Entrepreneur and Founder of the award winning and nationally recognized STEM+Arts program for youth of color called iUrban Teen, and most recently launched Black Women in STEM 2.0. Ms. Pierott is also a diversity strategist and international public speaker. She has served on several boards and commissions including a Gubernatorial appointment to the Commission on African American Affairs in the State of Washington. She has been featured in the following publications: Government Technology, Essence Magazine, Working Mother Magazine, Black Enterprise, Ebony Magazine, Deliver magazine, Portland Business Journal, Geekwire, Colors of Influence, Neurology Now, the Chicago Tribune and NPR.
Djimo Serodio
Environmental Technologist and Founder of JustLearn
Djimo Serodio, Founder of JustLearn, is an environmental technologist at the intersection of CleanTech and EdTech. With a background in agriculture and life sciences, he now helps tens of thousands of education stakeholders make environmental science and STEM more fun and accessible. Having coined the term CircularSTEM™ Djimo is helping make STEM more circular and applied to the solutions of our time while being as fun and interactive as possible. More about his work can be found at JustLearn.io
Judy Day
Science Education Consultant and National Instructor
Judy Benton Day is a science education consultant who specializes in science technology and student research training. Judy is a former high school teacher of biology and marine ecology. Judy left the classroom to join The Science House at NC State University for 14 years assisting teachers with incorporating the use of technology into their curriculum and giving teacher workshops across North Carolina. Judy is a National Instructor with Texas Instruments Teachers Teaching with Technology and a consultant for Vernier Software and Technology. In addition, Judy has served as the state director for the NC Science and Engineering Fair since 2003.
Dr. Lance Brand
Teacher Leader and Milken National Educator
Dr. Lance Brand has taught science for 23 years in middle/high schools and college. Lance is currently teaching at Delta High School in rural Indiana and has served as a teacher leader on their innovative learning and technology committee for more than ten years. He completed his doctorate in science education and biology in 2011 from Ball State University with a research focus on critical thinking development utilizing case study, and PBL instruction. Lance was recognized as a Milken National Educator in 2005.
Jeffrey Crapper
TOSA for Beaverton School District
Jeffrey Crapper is a teacher on special assignment (TOSA) for the Beaverton School District in Oregon. Prior to this position, Jeff has taught Biology, Physics, Math, Engineering, Firefighting, English as a Second Language, Physical Education, Health and Health Sciences CTE courses for 21 years. He most recently taught at Beaverton Academy of Science and Engineering (BASE) in Beaverton, where he started their medical assisting and pharmacy technology programs. He has a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training, Exercise Science, and Health Education with a Minor in Psychology from Linfield College and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Oregon State University. He was recognized as the 2021 Oregon ACTE Teacher of the Year, 2019 ACTE National Health Science Teacher of the Year and as the 2017 OSTA Oregon High School Science Teacher of the Year.
2023 Judging Timeline
Submit your Judging Application
Make sure to review the criteria to become a judge prior to completing your application. Submit a CV and resume alongside your judging application by May 6, 2024.
Application Review of Judges
Once your application is submitted, you will receive an email confirming that it is in the review stage. We confirm judges on a rolling basis according to categories of expertise.
Judges Assigned Applications
You will be given nomination assignments during the week of July 1, 2024. Take the time to review and familiarize yourself with your STEM provider's website and submission.
Product Demos
Reach out to your assigned contact to set up a product demonstration. Each nomination will be reviewed by independent judges to ensure fair and unbiased evaluations.
Submit Your Evaluations
You will write up a review about your assigned nominee according to the outlined submission criteria. The teacher popular vote is conducted concurrently, compiling the opinions of over 250,000 NSTA and MCH Strategic Data educators.
Announcement of Finalists!
Finalists will receive a badge to showcase their accomplishment!
Popular Vote Begins
Finalists will be announced to science and STEM educators who will be able to vote for their choice for Best of STEM.