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Judy Witten, a Western Illinois University alumna and a third-grade science teacher at Macomb's Lincoln Elementary School, has been named the recipient of the 2010 Maurice G. Kellogg Award for Excellence in Science Teaching. She is pictured here with Dr. Kellogg, who is known throughout Illinois and nationally as a leader in science education. He was a faculty member in science education and biological sciences until his retirement from Western in 1990.
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Pictured here are past recipients of the Maurice G. Kellogg Award for Excellence in Science Teaching who attended this year's 24th Annual PreK-8 Science Update Conference at Western Illinois University (with Dr. Kellogg); back row, L to R: Dr. Maurice G. Kellogg; Carol Van De Walle (Alwood, 2004); and Mary McMahon (West Prairie, Colchester, 2009). Front row, L to R: Steve Hoffman (Pekin, 2006); Judy Witten (Macomb, 2010); and Liz Burton (Good Hope, 2003).
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Macomb Teacher Recognized for Excellence in Science Teaching

April 28, 2010

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MACOMB, IL -- Judy Witten, a third-grade science teacher at Macomb's Lincoln Elementary School, has been named the recipient of the 2010 Western Illinois University Maurice G. Kellogg Award for Excellence in Science Teaching.

Witten has taught with the Macomb School District for more than 20 years; she began her teaching career at VIT (Vermont-Industry-Table Grove) Schools. Witten was the founder of Lincoln's After School Science Club, and she has also led numerous class field trips to Western's Horn Field Campus. For the past three years, she has received grants to fund a field trip for third graders to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and to the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque (IA). She earned her bachelor's degree in elementary and junior high education from WIU 1986, and she received her master's degree in elementary and junior high education in 1990 from Western.

According to Don Powers, director of the Maurice G. Kellogg Science Education Center, the award for excellence in science teaching was presented during the 24th Annual PreK-8 Science Update Conference. The conference was held on WIU's Macomb campus on Friday, April 16. The event attracted more than 150 area educators and offered 21 morning sessions, followed by 13 mini-sessions, related to integrating science instruction across the curriculum.

The award is given to a teacher in recognition of his or her contribution to science education in the field, and it is named for Kellogg, who is known throughout Illinois and nationally as a leader in science education. He was a faculty member in science education and biological sciences until his retirement from Western in 1990.

Kellogg is also one of the founders of the Illinois Science Teachers Association and served as one of the first presidents of that organization. He has been recognized as Environmental Educator of the Year for Illinois, among numerous other awards.

"It is in recognition of his outstanding record in teaching, scholarly work and service in science education that the award for excellence in science teaching was created," Powers said.

Past recipients of the Maurice G. Kellogg Award for Excellence in Science Teaching attending this year's conference included: Carol Van De Walle (Alwood, 2004), Mary McMahon (West Prairie, Colchester, 2009), Steve Hoffman (Pekin, 2006) and Liz Burton (Good Hope, 2003).

For more information about Western's Maurice G. Kellogg Science Education Center, visit www.wiu.edu/users/sced/. Contact Powers at (309) 298-1258 or DT-Powers@wiu.edu.

Posted By: Teresa Koltzenburg (WIUNews@wiu.edu)
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