June 27, 2023
Texas teachers inspire potential future physicians
Believing the success of future physicians depends greatly on the guidance they receive from teachers during their formative years, the Texas Medical Association (TMA) honored three Texas science teachers with the 2023 TMA Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching.
These educators have exhibited unwavering dedication, innovative teaching methods, and a profound passion for shaping the minds of students who one day might become physicians. The teachers’ efforts have imparted knowledge and inspired countless young minds, instilling in them the values of compassion, curiosity, and excellence.
Michelle A. Berger, MD, who just concluded her term on the TMA Board of Trustees, recognized this year’s winners at Saturday’s awards luncheon. The honorees will receive a combined total of $42,000 in personal cash awards and school resource grants for their respective science curricula. Each teachers’ application demonstrated exceptional commitment and creativity in cultivating students’ interest in pursuing careers in both medicine and science.
2023 Winners
Grand Prize: Joseph Oleniczak teaches biotechnology and a research internship at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy, a high school in Austin. Driven by a strong belief in the power of hands-on, inquiry-based learning activities, Mr. Oleniczak’s personalized curriculum ensures that each of his students is exposed to real-world experiences. He encourages them to ask questions, explore new ideas, and think critically.
Distinguished Award: Lacey Baxley teaches fifth-grade science at Nocona Elementary School in Nocona, north of Dallas/Fort Worth. She has her students conduct hands-on experiments to cultivate their sense of wonder and curiosity. When her students studied a unit on gases in October close to Halloween, Ms. Baxley made the experience fun by demonstrating what happens when baking soda and vinegar are mixed. (Doing so created a gas, causing some balloons to blow up and reveal ghost faces drawn on them.)
Rookie Award: Maria Martinez teaches biology and Project Lead the Way biomedical science at Harmony School of Excellence in Laredo. Ms. Martinez understands every student has a unique learning style, and she adapts her teaching methods accordingly, creating an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can thrive. Her students share her enthusiasm for science through innovative experiments and activities, exposing them to real-world scenarios as well as potential career opportunities that lie ahead.
The 2023 TMA Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching are made possible by a grant from the Texas Medical Association Foundation, TMA’s philanthropic arm.
In 1998, Ernest C. Butler, MD, and his wife, Sarah (a former educator herself), established a TMA Foundation endowment for the Excellence in Science Teaching Awards program, which also is supported by gifts from physicians and their families. Over the years, the Austin philanthropists made additional generous donations to expand and sustain the program.
“Sarah and I have always been big supporters of teachers and their ability to feed students’ interest in science,” said Dr. Butler. “Providing funding for resources in the classroom facilitates access to supplies, equipment, experiences, and more. What a relief it must be to have the materials needed to focus on teaching; thereby inspiring whole generations to consider a science-based career path.”
For more information, visit the Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards webpage.
TMA is accepting nominations for the 2024 awards. Any outstanding full-time science teacher with at least two years’ completed experience at a public or private school in Texas is eligible for nomination. The TMA Foundation accepts tax-deductible donationsto support the awards (in the drop-down menu, select TMA Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching Program).
TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing more than 57,000 physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 110 component county medical societies around the state. TMA’s key objective since 1853 is to improve the health of all Texans. The TMA Foundation raises funds to support the population health, science, and quality-of-care priority initiatives of TMA and the family of medicine.
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TMA Contacts: Brent Annear (512) 370-1381; (512) 656-7320; brent.annear@texmed.org
Swathi Narayanan (512) 370-1382; (408) 987-1318; swathi.narayanan@texmed.org
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