On Monday, March 26, the South Central Missouri Section of the ACS presented Mr. James Jenkins with the 1996 Outstanding High School Chemistry Teacheržs Award. In addition to a plaque, the Local Section Award included a $300 cash award. We also congratulate Mr. Jenkins for having won the Regional Outstanding Chemistry Teaching Award, to be presented at the 32nd Midwest Region ACS Meeting, to be held October 29 - November 1, 1997, at Tan-Tar-A Lodge in Osage Beach, Missouri.

Ms. Helen Ekborg-Ott and Mr. James Jenkins.

BIOGRAPHY

MR. JAMES JENKINS ...

was born July 7, 1952 in Jefferson City, Missouri. There he attended Jefferson City public schools, graduating in 1970. Obtained his B.S. in Ed., with a major in chemistry and a minor in physics, at Central Missouri State University in 1974. Received his M.S. in Ed. from CMSU in 1977 with an emphasis in Secondary Science Education. Since then, Mr. Jenkins have attended numerous institutes and workshops, including those sponsored by NSF, the Department of Energy, Union Electric, the Howard Hughes Medical Instditutes, Department of Natural Resources, etc.

has tought in the St. James R-I School District since 1974, and have served as the Science Department Chairman for the entire time. His classroom assignments have included Chemistry (I, II, and III), Physics, Physical Science, General Science, and Computer Programming. He has also served as and instructor in computers for the Rolla Vo-Tech adult educational program, as well as co-teaching a graduate level class on "Improving Science Instruction in Schools" for Southwest Baptist University.

is a member of numerous organizations, including the Missouri State Teacher's Association, American Association of Physics Teachers, National Science Education Leadership Association, American Chemical Society Division of Chemical Education, St. James Community Teacher's Association, and St. James Teacher's Association. He has also served on several district, regional, and state committees. These have included curriculum development, Career Ladder, Science Teachers of Missouri Board of Directors -- State Award Chairman, Chemistry Division Judge for Missouri Junior Academy of Science State Competition, State Science Olympiad Judge -- Scrambler events, Judge for Seiko Youth Challenge year II, III, IV, and V. He has also read and evaluated State Incentive Grants, and reviewed software for The Science Teachers Magazine, and Goals 200 Task Force for Science Teacher Education.

has been a participant and presenter at numerous local, regional, state, and national science educational meetings. These include South Central District Science Teachers, Science Teachers of Missouri, Interface Conference for Science/Math, National Science Teachers' Association national meetings, and ACS Midwest Regional Meeting.

has also received numerous awards an recognitions for science teaching, including 1986 UMR Chapter of Sigma Xi Science Teacher of the Year, 1988 Teacher of the Year for St. James R-I School District, 1990 Outstanding T.I.E. project from Missouri Chemical Council, 1991, Most Influential Teacher from the Chancellor of the University of Missouri-Columbia, 1992 and 1996 Who's Who Among America's Teachers, 1994 and 1995 Most Influential Teacher from Missouri Scholars' Academy, etc. Mr. Jenkins have also participated in Howard Hughes Medical Institute Summer Research Program in 1993 and 1994.