Mrs. Margaret (Peggy) Brown, Newburg, MO, has been named the 2003 Outstanding Chemistry Teacher by the South Central Missouri Local Section of the American Chemistry Society. She has taught chemistry, physics, biology, anatomy, physiology, botany and zoology in the Newburg Public Schools since joining the faculty in 1985. The Outstanding Chemistry Teacher Award was presented to her on November 10, 2003, at 4:30 p.m. in Room G-3 Schrenk Hall at the University of Missouri-Rolla. This Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the education of young people in Chemistry, and consists of a special plaque and a check for $300. Following presentation of her award, Dr. Tony Flaim of Brewer Science lectured on "Polymer Coatings for Optoelectronics Applications."

(l to r) Tony Flaim (speaker), Frank Blum (Councilor, ACS), Peggy Brown (Awardee) and Yinfa Ma (Chair, ACS)

From March 1991 to May 2001, Mrs. Brown served as an Adjunct Instructor at Columbia College (Ft. Leonard Wood and Rolla), teaching physical science and biology courses. Prior to joining the Newburg School staff, she was a part-time lecturer in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Missouri-Rolla from January 1980 to May 1985, and was a teacher at Peabody High School in Pittsburgh, PA from September 1969 to June 1971.

Mrs. Brown earned a BS in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin and an MS in Teaching (Biology) from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. In addition, she has taken several courses at the University of Missouri-Columbia and Southwest Missouri State University, as well attending numerous scientific workshops and training sessions. She has written articles for "Missouri Science News" and given several presentations at the Science Teachers of Missouri conferences and at regional and national conventions.

Mrs. Brown's skills as a superior teacher are evidenced by the many achievements of her students. Year after year, her students consistently score above the national average in science on the ACT, and as recently as 2001, Newburg High School was ranked as one of the Top Ten Schools in the State on the science portion of the annual MAP test.

Mrs. Brown's students have been successful in competition at the South Central Missouri Science and Engineering Fair, with six of them winning 1st or 2nd Grand Prizes. They have also participated in International Science and Engineering Fairs. These and other successes are the result of Mrs. Brown's professionalism, her devotion to her students, effective use of classroom time, and a variety of effective teaching techniques with emphasis on research and laboratory activities.

According to Michael S. Brooks, Newburg High School Principal, Mrs. Brown is very conscientious about her teaching, obtains excellent results, and is a tremendous asset to the school. She makes every effort to obtain additional expertise in the various areas of science by attending workshops, training sessions and conferences. She is also involved with students outside of her classroom.

As the sponsor of the Science Club, she arranges for guest speakers, accompanies students on field trips, and helps with fund raising events. Through her efforts, the Science Club raised sufficient funds to purchase computer-interfacing devices and sensing equipment. She also obtained a matching grant, plus training in use of this equipment, by participating in a workshop in Oregon in 2000. These and other efforts have increased her students' exposure to computer technology as well as significantly enhancing their educational experience.

Her colleagues at other schools consider her to be the consummate professional. They state that she is always willing to share her expertise with another teacher or an entire roomful of teachers at science education conferences. In fact, one individual remarked that he appreciated her expertise and "never wanted to miss one of her presentations!"