{"539531":{"#nid":"539531","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Meet Casey Bethel, Georgia\u0027s 2017 Teacher of the Year","body":[{"value":"\u003Ch5 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003ECollege of Sciences basks in the reflected glow of a GIFTed science teacher\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ECasey M. Bethel, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.google.com\/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant\u0026amp;ion=1\u0026amp;espv=2\u0026amp;ie=UTF-8#q=ajc+Casey+Bethel\u0022\u003EGeorgia\u2019s 2017 Teacher of the Year,\u003C\/a\u003E has spent the past five summers doing research in the College of Sciences through the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ceismc.gatech.edu\/gift\u0022\u003EGeorgia Intern Fellowships for Teachers (GIFT)\u003C\/a\u003E. This summer, he will return again to the lab of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ww2.chemistry.gatech.edu\/lieberman\/\u0022\u003ERaquel L. Lieberman\u003C\/a\u003E, an associate professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.chemistry.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/a\u003E. \u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAn \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ceismc.gatech.edu\/news\/gift-teacher-casey-bethel-named-finalist-2017-georgia-teacher-year\u0022\u003Eextraordinary science teacher and mentor\u003C\/a\u003E at New Manchester High School, in Douglasville, Bethel personifies the power of university-school partnerships enabled by programs like GIFT to transform \u0026nbsp;teaching and learning of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), says \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ceismc.gatech.edu\/about\/staffdirectory\/dr-lizanne-destefano\u0022\u003ELizanne DeStefano\u003C\/a\u003E. She is the executive director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.ceismc.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECenter for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing (CEISMC)\u003C\/a\u003E, the College of Sciences unit that administers the GIFT program.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cFor 25 years, Georgia Tech\u2019s GIFT program has been providing K-12 teachers with opportunities to participate in real-world applications in STEM fields, so that they can then pass along learnings and applications to students,\u201d says \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.president.gatech.edu\/about-dr-peterson\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech President G.P. \u201cBud\u201d Peterson\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cWe are grateful for teachers like Casey Bethel whose commitment to STEM education is helping to prepare and inspire the next generation,\u201d he says. President Peterson himself was \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.president.gatech.edu\/sites\/president.gatech.edu\/files\/uploads\/pdf\/President%20Peterson%20Curriculum%20Vitae.pdf\u0022\u003Ea high school mathematics and science teacher\u003C\/a\u003E early in his career.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe Lieberman group studies, among others, proteins associated with human diseases, such as glaucoma and Alzheimer\u2019s disease. Protein crystallography, biochemical\/physical characterization, and computer modeling are some of the methods the group uses to elucidate the structure and functions of disease-related proteins.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EOn the basis of Bethel\u2019s education, professional experience, and interests, Lieberman thought Bethel would be a good match for her lab and actively recruited him to work with her. She adds that three years of Bethel\u2019s participation in GIFT were supported by her \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.nsf.gov\/funding\/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503214\u0022\u003ENational Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER)\u003C\/a\u003E award.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EBethel says working in the Lieberman lab vastly improved his teaching and knowledge. The experience enabled him to better prepare his students for college-level courses. More than 50 of his former students have gone into STEM majors and careers, he says; some of them are students at Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EGIFT provides K-12 science and math teachers paid summer internships in research laboratories, where they participate in designing and conducting experiments, interpreting data, and communicating findings. Internships may also take place in industry, where teachers gain workplace experience and learn the skills needed for STEM careers. By working daily with researchers or in industry, teachers increase their content knowledge and find ways to enrich their teaching practices.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAt New Manchester High School, Bethel teaches Advanced Placement (AP) Physics, AP Biology, Biology, and Physical Science. As a result of his research experience at Georgia Tech, Bethel, with Lieberman, designed a teaching unit comprising lessons centered on protein structures and their relation to function and disease. \u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EBethel and Lieberman describe the unit in \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/doi\/abs\/10.1021\/ed300677t\u0022\u003EThe Journal of Chemical Education\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cThe lessons are designed \u2026 to make learning more relevant to daily life, and to help high school students engage in and understand advanced topics beyond the typical high school chemistry or biology curriculum,\u201d they write.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ESeparately, Bethel is helping the advance of basic scientific knowledge. According to Lieberman, he is a coauthor of a scientific research paper that is undergoing peer review.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAfter having worked with Bethel for five consecutive summers, Lieberman is elated, but not too surprised, that he is now Georgia\u2019s 2017 Teacher of the Year. \u201cHe is focused, committed, and passionate,\u201d says Lieberman. \u201cHe loves to learn and has a no-nonsense attitude. He follows through on commitments and is highly professional.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EWhile Bethel was gaining knowledge and research experience from his GIFT internship at Georgia Tech, the Lieberman lab also was learning from him. \u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cCasey is a natural teacher,\u201d says Lieberman. \u201cHe is able to explain complex issues to a broad audience,\u201d a skill that many students struggle with, she notes. \u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cCasey is inspirational,\u201d Lieberman adds. \u201cStudents pick up on his infectious enthusiasm and love of learning.\u201d \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAs Georgia\u2019s 2017 Teacher of the Year, Bethel will serve as ambassador for all Georgia public school teachers, school systems, and students; speak to various groups throughout the state; conduct staff development activities for other teachers; and represent Georgia in the 2017 National Teacher of the Year competition.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cCouldn\u2019t be more proud of Casey,\u201d Lieberman tweeted when the news broke on May 20.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cWe are utterly delighted at Casey\u2019s selection as Georgia\u2019s Teacher of the Year,\u201d says College of Sciences Dean Paul M. Goldbart. \u201cCasey is an extraordinary representative of the K-12 community, inspiring Georgia Tech staff to learn more about high-school teaching and learning strategies as they work with him to support his innovative approaches to teaching.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003ECasey Bethel, Georgia\u2019s 2017 Teacher of the Year, Reflects on His Teaching Journey\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat got you started in teaching science and the GIFT program?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EI grew up in the Bahamas, in a family of teachers. I was told at an early age that because I performed well in science, I had to be a doctor or a scientist. I pursued those careers all the way to graduate school, earning a master\u0027s degree in plant genetics from the University of Georgia. However, the work never brought enough fulfillment.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EOn the other hand, I thoroughly enjoyed my experiences as a teaching assistant, instructing undergrads. In 2005, I tried teaching, in the DeKalb County School System, at first as a one-year experiment. I found my calling and never looked back.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAfter a few years of teaching, I hit a wall. I was unsatisfied with my students\u2019 progress. A mentor of mine advertised the GIFT program as a means of broadening my background. I tried it, and I saw immediate results.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EDr. Lieberman welcomed me and made me a contributing member of her team. Every year since 2011, my wealth of knowledge has grown and my teaching practices have improved.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat does the Teacher of the Year award mean to you? \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThis award is a huge honor. It serves as validation of the hard work and sacrifices I have put into growing in this career. I hope that it further inspires my students to work hard and pursue their dreams.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat will you do with this award? \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EI hope to bring attention to some of the ways we can solve education\u2019s greatest challenges.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIt is becoming harder to recruit and retain talented teachers, especially in science and math. I am on a recruitment tour to attract some of the brightest science and math students to join the teaching profession. The challenge of educating the next generation of problem solvers and world leaders is just as important as the race to cure cancer. Teaching is the best way to make a difference.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAt the same time, I hope to be\u0026nbsp;an example of how collaboration between universities, industries, and K-12 educators can radically improve the way we teach and prepare students. My own teaching practices sky-rocketed since I formed a partnership with Dr. Lieberman and her research team. Working with them in the summers, I get to see how the concepts I teach in my high school classes are applied to authentic research. Such exposure provides the real-world connections that help me make science more relevant for my students. We need more of these collaborations in every content area.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat is the secret to your success as a teacher? \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe secret is passion. When teachers are passionate about what they do, it translates to their students. Effective teachers are excited to share what they know in a way that draws students in, making them see the value of knowledge. My students and I have a saying, \u201cInformation is currency.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":"","field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"College of Sciences basks in the reflected glow of a GIFTed science teacher"}],"uid":"32503","created_gmt":"2016-05-24 13:23:37","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:21:46","author":"Scotty Smith","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2016-05-24T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2016-05-24T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"539571":{"id":"539571","type":"image","title":"Casey Bethel, Georgia\u2019s 2017 Teacher of the Year. Photo courtesy of Casey Bethel.","body":null,"created":"1464703200","gmt_created":"2016-05-31 14:00:00","changed":"1475895326","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:55:26","alt":"Casey Bethel, Georgia\u2019s 2017 Teacher of the Year. Photo courtesy of Casey Bethel.","file":{"fid":"89547","name":"classroom2_0.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/classroom2_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/classroom2_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":285575,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/classroom2_0.jpg?itok=oJ-c5i9h"}},"539591":{"id":"539591","type":"image","title":"GIFT in the lab: (from left) Jose Amador, Dustin Huard, Elaine Nguyen, Casey Bethel, Swe-Htet Naing, Sibel Kalyoncu, Rebecca Donegan, Shannon Hill, Michelle Kwon, Athena Patterson-Orazem, and Raquel Lieberman.","body":null,"created":"1464703200","gmt_created":"2016-05-31 14:00:00","changed":"1475895326","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:55:26","alt":"GIFT in the lab: (from left) Jose Amador, Dustin Huard, Elaine Nguyen, Casey Bethel, Swe-Htet Naing, Sibel Kalyoncu, Rebecca Donegan, Shannon Hill, Michelle Kwon, Athena Patterson-Orazem, and Raquel Lieberman.","file":{"fid":"206296","name":"casey_in_lab.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/casey_in_lab_0.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/casey_in_lab_0.png","mime":"image\/png","size":375952,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/casey_in_lab_0.png?itok=RhrhAw20"}}},"media_ids":["539571","539591"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"42911","name":"Education"}],"keywords":[{"id":"101","name":"Award"},{"id":"166948","name":"Casey Bethel"},{"id":"170199","name":"CEISMC GIFT"},{"id":"4896","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"172065","name":"Georgia 2017 Teacher of the Year"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA. Maureen Rouhi\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDirector of Communications\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECollege of Sciences\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["maureen.rouhi@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}