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Each year, the Botanical Research Institute of Texas honors educators for their commitment to excellence in science teaching.  The tradition was first introduced by former trustee Wendy Owsley Garrett who recognized the vital need for ongoing assessment of education outreach programs.  She established this award in 2001 to recognize exemplary K-12 teachers and, at the same time, solicit constructive analysis on the effectiveness of BRIT's education programs.  Wendy also had the desire to honor teachers for their dedication and hard work. 

"We are grateful to Wendy for allowing us to recognize deserving science teachers with this award.  We understand how hard a good science teacher works to engage students in the kind of learning that makes kids wonder, teaches them to think, and challenges them to make sense of their world. Wendy Garrett understands, and her gift makes it possible for us to give credit to at least a few of those teachers who go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of their students."
- Pat Harrison, Head of Education, BRIT

How to apply for 2010         2009 Award Winner         Previous Award Winners

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We appreciate how diligently and creatively you work to make science meaningful and exciting for your students. Applications are now being accepted for BRIT’s 2010 Wendy Owsley Garrett Science Teacher Award! Successful applications show how your use of BRIT resources has influenced your students’ learning.

You are eligible to apply for this award if:

• You have not won the award in the past.
   
• You are teaching science as a regular part of the curriculum for grades K-12 in a public, private or home school.
   
• You have participated in at least one professional development or student program with BRIT in the past two years and used the activities in your teaching.

Applications are due on or before May 15, 2010. 

Download the application instructions (pdf) and consent form (pdf).

Winners will be announced in June and the awards will be presented in August. We look forward to learning about how you have applied BRIT programs in your teaching and celebrating your success with you.

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Carrie Donovan
Goodman Elementary School
Arlington ISD

Presentation of Carrie's Work (pdf, 2MB)
  
Carrie Donovan, science teacher at Goodman Elementary School in Arlington, Texas, received the 2009 Wendy Owsley Garrett Science Teacher Award at the BRIT Board of Directors meeting on August 20, 2009.

Carrie has been teaching for 16 years.  At the start of her career, Carrie taught deaf and hard-of-hearing children and for the last 9 years, she has served as a science teacher.  In her present position, Carrie is the science laboratory teacher at her school, teaching science to students in grades 1 through 6. 

Over the course of a year, Carrie instills a love of learning in the lives of over 400 children, of which 300 are classified as "at risk" students, 30 are special education students, and 311 speak English as a second language.  Her students come from diverse ethnic backgrounds including Vietnamese, Middle Eastern, Hispanic and African.  Carrie uses science as a common language to teach vocabulary and critical thinking skills.

Carrie described how her career has evolved in association with BRIT. 

• Her first encounter with BRIT Education was a workshop on schoolyard habitats in 1999, when a grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife allowed BRIT to host a group of local teachers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin where they were inspired to use the outdoors as a classroom.  Creating a schoolyard habitat was Carries' dream, and she began taking her students outdoors to observe nature. Her love of science grew as she took part in a number of other BRIT workshops through the years. 

• When BRIT Education announced a partnership with REAL School Gardens to deliver professional development conferences, Carrie attended and enjoyed learning from other teachers who shared her interests.  From that experience, Carrie learned about grant opportunities with REAL School Gardens for schools wanting to install outdoor classrooms.  While teaching at Wimbish Elementary School, she applied for a grant for her school and was awarded funds to build an outdoor classroom. Fortunately, when she moved to Goodman Elementary, a garden was already established. Carrie commented that she now feels empowered to follow her passion of teaching science outdoors to children surrounded by nature. Her students keep journals to record and think about their outdoor experiences, and she believes those journals have been her greatest assessment tool, allowing her to follow the children's comprehension of science vocabulary and topics by reading their comments and observations. 

When asked how BRIT influenced her teaching, Carrie explained, 

"I learned to collaborate with other teachers and professionals that share the same passion for kids to learn in the outdoors.  I felt empowered from the wealth of knowledge that I attained from the BRIT workshops, and I couldn't wait to share with my students." 
  

CONGRATULATIONS CARRIE!
The board of directors and staff of BRIT commend Carrie for her dedication to quality science education and her extraordinary commitment to the children whose lives she touches each day.   

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