OCACS instituted an Award for the Orange County Chemistry Teacher of the Year in 2017. This year, the Award was to have been presented at the High School Awards Dinner to be held in May.
The Education Committee of Orange County American Chemical Society, with the support of our local section board, has made the difficult decision to postpone naming a recipient of the Orange County Chemistry Teacher of the Year Award in 2020 and 2021. This, of course, is due to the circumstances of the impact of the COVID-19 virus upon our educational system here in Orange County. The TOY subcommittee read all of the nominations, nominee statements, and letters of recommendation, and were ready to move on to the school visitations for the finalists. In 2020 and 2021, however, many Orange County high schools were largely closed, and school visitations, which contribute significantly to the selection of the TOY recipient, were not possible.
It was decided that:
- 2020 & 2021 ToY Award nominees who submitted the requested information and letters of recommendation would not have to resubmit in 2022, although they will be given the opportunity to add to or revise their statements if desired
- The nominators of these nominees will not have to renominate their candidates again.
- Nominees who did not submit the requested information will have to be nominated again in the spring of 2022.
If you have any questions, please contact Carol Grimes at cgrimes@gwc.cccd.edu.
Thank you for understanding our decision. We hope most sincerely to give this award in 2022.
