Rhoton NSTA Award

JOHNSON CITY (May 22, 2014) – The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) presented its highest and most prestigious award to a science educator from East Tennessee State University.

The Robert H. Carleton Award was bestowed upon Dr. Jack Rhoton during a banquet and ceremony as part of the NSTA’s recent National Conference on Science Education in Boston.  Sponsored by Dow Chemical Co., the award recognizes one individual who has made outstanding contributions to, and provided leadership in, science education at the national level and to NSTA in particular.

Rhoton, who is well-known for his leadership in and commitment to science education, is a professor of science education in ETSU’s Claudius G. Clemmer College of Education and executive director of the university’s Center of Excellence in Mathematics and Science Education (CEMSE).  His career includes 27 years at ETSU, where he built a nationally recognized professional development program.  Prior to joining ETSU in 1987, he spent 21 years in public school settings as a high school science teacher and K-12 science supervisor.

Known for his creative approaches to investigating science education issues, Rhoton’s work has focused on the preparation of pre-service and in-service teachers of science and mathematics.  His efforts have impacted university faculty members; K-12 teachers; and elementary, middle and high school students.  He has received $10 million in grant funding to support math and science education in Northeast Tennessee.

In addition to his tenure as president of the National Science Education Leadership Association, Tennessee Academy of Science and Tennessee Science Teachers Association, Rhoton has been a member of NSTA’s board of directors, chaired the planning committees for the organization’s area conferences, and served on numerous NSTA committees and task forces.

Rhoton has edited six books and authored 65 journal articles and made numerous presentations at the local, state and national levels.  He is also the founder and creator of the Science Educator Journal, for which he served as editor from 1992-2010, and is the current editor of the “Handbook and Proceedings of the Tennessee Junior Academy of Science.”

Rhoton is retiring this summer from ETSU, and looks forward to traveling with his wife both throughout the United States and abroad, as well as spending time with their six grandchildren.  He is also an avid gardener, which he says will keep him busy during the summer months, and he plans to do volunteer work in the community. 

Rhoton will remain connected to ETSU in retirement and return to campus occasionally, as he plans to work on another book.

His position as director of the CEMSE and the Northeast Tennessee STEM Innovation Hub will be filled on Aug. 1 by Dr. Anant Godbole, a professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics in ETSU’s College of Arts and Sciences.

Based in Arlington, Va., the NSTA is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning.  Its current membership includes approximately 55,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.