We are pleased to share a release from the Binghamton Section of the American Chemical Society announcing that Vestal High School chemistry teacher Tracy Suggs has been selected for the American Chemical Society (ACS) Division of Chemical Education’s Northeast Region Award for Excellence in High School Teaching. Mrs. Suggs will be recognized during the 2016 ACS Northeast Regional Meeting Awards Dinner on Friday, October 7.
The purpose of the award is to recognize, encourage and stimulate outstanding high school chemistry teachers in the Northeast Region, which includes ACS sections in New York, New England and northern Pennsylvania. As the winner of this regional award, Mrs. Suggs becomes the Northeast Region’s nominee for the National American Chemical Society’s James Bryant Conant Award in High School Chemistry Teaching.
Mrs. Suggs joined the faculty at Vestal High School in 1992, and has chaired the Chemistry Department since 2003. During her tenure, she has taught a variety of chemistry classes, including both Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses. In addition to her outstanding work in the classroom, Mrs. Suggs demonstrates an outstanding commitment to her students by advising extracurricular activities for them, such as the Chemistry Magic Show* and the Science Olympiad. In addition, as a New York State Master Teacher, she actively supports her colleagues by facilitating professional development. Mrs. Suggs also serves as an education consultant to the New York State Education Department.
*The Chemistry Magic Show, presented by The Vestal School Foundation, is an annual “in-district” field trip. Fourth-graders at each of Vestal’s elementary schools enjoy a fun-filled show of chemistry demonstrations at the high school. By advising the high school students who train to present the Vestal School Foundation’s Chemistry Magic Show, Mrs. Suggs helps ignite a love of science in an even younger generation.