NJSC Applauds Presenter | Science Teacher Christine Girtain Named New Jersey State Teacher of the Year 2022-23

On October 12 the New Jersey Department of Education announced that Christine Girtain, a Science Teacher and the Director of Authentic Science Research at Toms River High School North and South, was named the 2022-2023 New Jersey State Teacher of the Year.  The New Jersey Science Convention congratulates Girtain on this impressive honor recognizing her achievements in science education as it pertains to students and colleagues seeking real world solutions.

The Governor’s Educator of the Year program is constantly evolving.  It starts at the local level with those who are selected by their individual schools.  The local district Teacher of the Years are encouraged to apply for recognition as County Teachers of the Year.  The timely application process is fairly intense as it establishes criteria that a teacher is not only an asset at their own local school but is also connected within a larger societal footprint.  According to her County Teacher of the Year description, Christine has forged an alliance with the Army and Navy “to establish a K-12 STEM pipeline with a goal of ensuring the sustainability of the STEM workforce in the United States.” She has taken students on educational tours in Europe and to do research in Costa Rica.  Some of her students even presented their final work to a panel of scientists from the US, Israel, and Switzerland. Additionally, she has exemplified this same spirit of dedication to colleagues by funding local teachers and hosting others from 6 states in search of new potential antibiotics.  County Teachers of the Year are encouraged to apply for recognition as a New Jersey State Teacher of the Year (NJSTOY).  Criteria at this level "highlights educational innovation, student achievement, the rewards of teaching, and important services outside the classroom environment that lead to student success."  Christine clearly exemplifies that important aspect of societal impact in addition to her local excellence. 
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Christine has presented programs at New Jersey Science Convention for many years and exemplifies NJSC’s mission to provide a forum for educators to meet, collaborate, and formulate new ideas to support science education.  She will be sharing her expertise in Authentic Science Research by presenting three programs this year.  She is also a New Jersey state finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics & Science Teaching.  NJSC will recognize Christine’s achievements at the annual banquet on Tuesday evening.

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Show me the Moo-ney! Determine the Genetics of a CA$H-Cow
In this real-world selective breeding workshop, attendees will use gel electrophoresis to determine which bull and cows a farmer should purchase to receive the highest return on investment.
Session 005 | Tuesday 8:30-9:30 | Maclean

Student Research with Corn Genotype to Phenotype
Students can collect data for plant researchers at the Danforth Center measuring phenotypes such as leaf angle in corn, & examine the variability of the phenotypic parameter leaf angle among corn genotypes.
Session 042 | Tuesday 1:00-2:00 | Nassau 27

Nourish the Future - Connect Students to Modern Agriculture
Learn about agriculture based curriculum that fosters critical thinking and inspires students to solve real-world problems. Reaching students is critical to filling the jog gap in agriculture related careers.
Session 108 | Wednesday 8:30-9:30 | Wilson