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| Judith Ashworth with Steve Lantos, chair of the Theodore William Richards Award committee |
Judith Ashworth, chemistry teacher at Memorial High School, is the 2016
recipient of the Theodore William Richards Award for Excellence in Teaching
Secondary School Chemistry. The award was presented at the 961st meeting of
the Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society (NESACS) “Education
Awards Night,” held at A123 Systems LLC in Waltham, Massachusetts earlier this month.
Ashworth
was recognized as a teacher who, through innovation and dedication, has
inspired potential chemists, has communicated chemistry to non-chemists, or has
influenced other teachers of chemistry. According to the award description, the
criteria for excellence correspond broadly to the effectiveness with which the
teacher conveys the principles of chemistry to students and to the influence
that the teacher has had on students and on other teachers.
Colleagues,
former students, and Memorial High School principal Arthur Adamakos are among those
who nominated Ashworth for the honor and say her skill for making students
think and act like pure scientists have influenced many to continue on in medical
and scientific careers.
“Even
students not continuing in chemistry or the physical sciences know they’ve
learned analytical skills useful to them in any discipline, all influenced by
this amazing teacher,” stated one letter in support of Ashworth. “She challenges
all of her students and builds their confidence by getting each one to find
their potential to learn well. Sincere, genuine, (and) a fierce advocate for
her students, Ms. Judith Ashworth exemplifies the best in teaching.”
Ashworth
is completing her 27th year of teaching in the Manchester School
District, her seventh at Memorial. She’s happy to be teaching at her alma
mater, where she grew up across the street!
“Judy
is a well-respected teacher among the faculty who successfully reaches students
with a variety of learning styles,” said Adamakos.
Ashworth
works to be a positive role model for female students, to help them develop
confidence for success in the perceived male-dominated field of chemistry and
other sciences.
“Chemistry
provides students an opportunity to explore their strengths and weaknesses in a
‘hands-on’ and ‘minds-on’ environment,” said Ashworth. “A student who feels empowered
has the ability to accomplish anything because she/he understands she/he has
the potential to do it.”
As
part of her award, Ashworth also received a $1,500 prize.
NESACS was founded in 1898 for the advancement of chemistry and
chemical engineering while promoting research in the physical sciences and
industry with over 6000 professional chemists and educators as members.
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