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Koballa Receives Outstanding Mentor Award from National Science Education Group Writer: Angela Hains, 706/542-5889, ahains@uga.edu Contact: Thomas Koballa, 706/542-4640, tkoballa@uga.edu
Thomas R. Koballa Jr., a professor in the department of mathematics and science education, has received the 2006 Outstanding Mentor Award from the Association of Science Teacher Education (ASTE).
Koballa was recognized by the national group for his significant contribution to the professional development of science teachers, most notably mentoring them. The ASTE recognizes only one individual each year for the honor.
In honor of his leadership and dedication to the field of science education, the College of Education professor of 16 years was awarded $1,000 from an ASTE sponsor (Wards Natural Science), a plaque and a tribute in the awards issue of the Journal of Science Teacher Education.
Koballa's modest nature makes it difficult for him to grasp the significance of such an honor.
“I never thought about my work as a mentor as meritorious,” he said. “Being nominated by former students and colleagues and judged by a committee of peers worthy of the award led me to think about my work as a mentor in a slightly different light. Perhaps I have made a significant and positive impact on the work and lives of students and colleagues over the years.”
The Outstanding Mentor Award recognizes Koballa as an ASTE member who goes above and beyond his daily scholarly responsibilities by significantly contributing to the pool of research that addresses practicing science in teaching and encouraging fellow scholars to do the same. Additionally, the award serves as a reminder of Koballa's support and dedication to professional associations related to science teaching.
Koballa, who came to UGA from the University of Texas where he was a faculty member for eight years, served as department head of science education at UGA from 1997-2004.
He led a COE team of two faculty members and three doctoral students in receiving an NTLI Fellowship in Science Education and Technology for 2005 from the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education for their paper, “Using Technology to Support Evidence-Based Science Teaching and Mentoring.”
Koballa has written several science education textbooks and published numerous journal articles addressing science teaching and learning. He earned his Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University, an MA and a BS from East Carolina University.
The ASTE, founded in 1993, promotes leadership and support for those involved in the professional development of teachers of science. It distributes three annual awards to recognize the personal achievements and contributions of it members in different categories.
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