GSE grad elected officer of state science teachers association

An alumna of the Graduate School of Education has been elected to a leadership position in a professional organization that is highly influential in setting science education policy in New York State.

Lisa Brosnick, EdM ’98, was elected to a three-year term as vice president of the Science Teachers Association of New York State (STANYS), the largest professional organization for science teachers in the state.

She will assume the presidency of the organization after her vice-presidential term expires.

Brosnick has taught biology at North Collins High School for 20 years.

“STANYS is the largest science teachers' association in the state, representing all science teachers from K-16,” says Xiufeng Liu, a professor in the GSE’s Department of Learning and Instruction and director of the Center for Educational Innovation.

“STANYS influences not only daily science teaching and learning in classrooms, but also major science education policies at the state, district and school levels,” Liu says. “Having a UB graduate like Lisa to lead this organization is a recognition not only for Lisa herself for her achievement and leadership ability, but also for the UB Graduate School of Education’s mission of educating future leaders in K-16 to transform the lives of students.”

Brosnick currently serves as director-at-large for biology for STANYS. She also has been active in the statewide Biology Chemistry Professional Network. She was a member of the New York State Master Teacher Program and the National Science Teachers Association.

In addition, she received the Outstanding Biology Teacher of the Year Award from the National Association of Biology Teachers in 2008.

“This is an important position because STANYS is the organization poised to provide high-quality, meaningful professional development for science teachers statewide,” Brosnick says. “Being a science educator for over 20 years, I am very excited to help plan the next several years of programming — along with the rest of the executive committee of STANYS — to help science educators improve and innovate science education across New York.”

STANYS’ mission is to promote excellence in science education, according to Brosnick. She says she is joining STANYS’ leadership team during an exciting time for science education in New York as the state weighs implementation of new science standards.

“The organization has many amazing educators and it is my privilege to serve them for the four-year leadership cycle,” Brosnick says. “Leading STANYS during this time is important to ensure that the teachers of New York State are provided with the high-quality professional development they deserve. Implementation of new standards can only work when teachers are well-prepared for the changes that will occur. The new standards require a shift in pedagogy and will require innovations in teaching science,” she says.

Liu calls Brosnick’s election to the STANYS leadership team another example of the Graduate School of Education’s record of accomplished and committed students who have completed degrees.

“We are proud of the caliber of students we accept into UB,” Liu says, “and we are even more proud of our graduates’ achievements and the impacts they make in the fields.”