The STAT Teacher Spotlight is a video Q&A series featuring great teachers who inspire discovery of the world through science. If you know a colleague with an amazing story, nominate them to be featured in a future Teacher Spotlight by emailing STAT at [email protected] with the subject line Teacher Spotlight.

Meet John Mead, a 33-year veteran life science and biology teacher at the St. Marks School of Texas in Dallas. John arrived in Dallas in the fall of 1990 after completing his MAT degree at Duke University and has taught sixth-grade life science or biology every year since. His lifelong love of microscopy as well as human origins have led him to work with National Geographic teams in both South Africa (Homo naledi)  and Peru (Boiling River expedition). His work in these areas has also allowed him to become a national voice in support of better evolution education for students. This year he serves as president of the Texas Association of Biology Teachers (TABT) as well as a teacher ambassador for the National Center for Science Education. He is a former awardee of the Texas Outstanding Biology Teacher award as well as the National Association of Biology Teachers Evolution Education Award. Beyond the classroom, John also loves backpacking and has led hundreds of high school students on extended backpacking expeditions in the New Mexico wilderness. He is also an avid nature photographer.

About the Host

Ariana Kay currently serves as the District Science Coordinator for Refugio ISD while also teaching AP Environmental Science and Physics at Refugio High School. Ariana earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from Midwestern State University in 2011 and recently completed her Masters in Educational Learning and Technology at Western Governors University in 2020. In addition to her experience teaching science in the state of Texas, Ariana has also taught physics in the Caribbean on her home island of Grenada. Her passion for science has proven to be limitless, and as such, she has been a staunch advocate for her underrepresented rural students to have the same experiences and opportunities in the field of science as their suburban and urban counterparts. Ariana serves as a member-at-large on the STAT Executive Board. 

The STAT Teacher Spotlight is a video Q&A series featuring great teachers who inspire discovery of the world through science. If you know a colleague with an amazing story, nominate them to be featured in a future Teacher Spotlight by emailing STAT at [email protected] with the subject line Teacher Spotlight.

Meet Ramon Benavides, who has been passionately teaching about the fascinating world of biology for the last 12 years at Del Valle High School and El Paso Community College. Through his work, he hopes to produce future STEM leaders from the El Paso Border Region. He enjoys serving as a role model for youth with socioeconomic backgrounds and educational attainment obstacles similar to those he encountered growing up in South Texas. He also enjoys fishing, hiking, and camping with his wife and son. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram.

Uchenna Emenaha is a former public school science teacher having taught at both the middle school and high school level. She is currently an assistant professor at The University of Texas at San Antonio in the Department of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching. Her research informs and is informed by culturally responsive teaching practices. When she is not teaching you can find her working out or attending a live music event. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

The Science Teachers Association of Texas (STAT) serves and supports a diverse community of science educators across the state representing varying geographies, grade levels, disciplines, and areas of science. But one common thread amongst the STAT community is the passion for “inspiring discovery of the world through science.”

The Inspiring Leaders series focuses on STAT volunteer leaders, their experiences as educators, and ways they believe the Texas science education community can continue to inspire students’ discovery of the world through science.

In this episode, learn from Kenric Davies, 2022-2023 STAT President-Elect and high school science teacher in Frisco ISD, and hear his insights on STAT’s affiliate partnerships, STAT’s advocacy role, how STAT supports its members, the importance of the Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST), and more.

The Science Teachers Association of Texas (STAT) serves and supports a diverse community of science educators across the state representing varying geographies, grade levels, disciplines, and areas of science. But one common thread amongst the STAT community is the passion for “inspiring discovery of the world through science.”

The Inspiring Leaders series focuses on STAT volunteer leaders, their experiences as educators, and ways they believe the Texas science education community can continue to inspire students’ discovery of the world through science.

In this episode, learn from Kara Swindell, 2020-2021 STAT President and science teacher in Lubbock ISD, and hear her insights on innovative teaching strategies, the impact of technology in the science classroom, the importance of STAT volunteers, and more.

The Science Teachers Association of Texas (STAT) serves and supports a diverse community of science educators across the state representing varying geographies, grade levels, disciplines, and areas of science. But one common thread amongst the STAT community is the passion for “inspiring discovery of the world through science.”

The Inspiring Leaders series focuses on STAT volunteer leaders, their experiences as educators, and ways they believe the Texas science education community can continue to inspire students’ discovery of the world through science.

In this episode, learn from Jennifer Meyer, 2021-2022 STAT President and elementary science coordinator for Leander ISD, and hear her insights on new STAT initiatives and professional development, how STAT365 supports STAT members and builds community, the value of science education, how STAT is supporting educators through the implementation of the revised Science TEKS, and more.

STAT serves and supports a diverse community of science educators across the state representing varying geographies, grade levels, disciplines, and areas of science. But one common thread amongst the STAT community is the passion for “inspiring discovery of the world through science.”

The Inspiring Leaders series focuses on STAT volunteer leaders, their experiences as educators, and ways they believe the Texas science education community can continue to inspire students’ discovery of the world through science.

In this episode, learn from Kiki Corry, 2022-2023 STAT President and Project WILD Coordinator for Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, and hear her insights on STAT’s strategic plan, how STAT meets the diverse needs of its members, STAT’s partnerships with Affiliate organizations, the importance of informal science education, and more.

The Science Teachers Association of Texas (STAT) serves and supports a diverse community of science educators across the state representing varying geographies, grade levels, disciplines, and areas of science. But one common thread amongst the STAT community is the passion for “inspiring discovery of the world through science.”

The Inspiring Leaders series focuses on STAT volunteer leaders, their experiences as educators, and ways they believe the Texas science education community can continue to inspire students’ discovery of the world through science.

In this episode, learn from Linda Schaake, 2019-2020 STAT President and high school science teacher in Brady ISD, and hear her insights on STAT’s vision and mission, the challenges Texas science teachers are currently facing, ways to strengthen Texas science education, and more.