Local Educator Named 'Outstanding Biology Teacher Of The Year'

Press release from Homewood-Flossmoor High School:

Michelle Kozik, H-F Science teacher, has been named the 2019-20 Outstanding Illinois Biology Teacher of the Year by the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT). She is being recognized for her dedication, commitment and teaching pedagogy and for managing a classroom with positive energy and enthusiasm to create a dynamic learning environment.

Kozik — an alumna from St. Xavier Univeristy in Chicago — joined the staff at Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School in the 2005-06 school year. In addition to Biology, she also teaches Chemistry and Physics. She has been invited to formally receive the award in November at the NABT's annual convention in Baltimore, Md.

About the award: Every year, the Outstanding Biology Teacher Award (OBTA) program attempts to recognize an outstanding biology educator (grades 7-12 only) in each of the 50 states; Washington, DC; Canada; Puerto Rico; and overseas territories. Candidates for this award do not have to be NABT members, but they must have at least three years of public, private, or parochial school teaching experience. A major portion of the nominee's career must have been devoted to the teaching of biology/life science, and candidates are judged on their teaching ability and experience, cooperativeness in the school and community, and student-teacher relationships. OBTA recipients are special guests of Carolina Biology Supply Company at the Honors Luncheon held at the NABT Professional Development Conference, receive gift certificates from Carolina Biological Supply Company, resources from other sponsors, award certificates, and complimentary one-year membership from NABT.

This press release was produced by Homewood-Flossmor High School. The views expressed here are the author’s own.