July 2, 2024
The Texas Medical Association (TMA) is honoring three exceptional Texas science teachers with the 2024 Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching. TMA recognized the teachers – Selene Verhofstad, EdD, of Pasadena; Christi Fuchs of Cuero; and Jamie Flint of Houston – at a ceremony in Austin last weekend. For more than 30 years, TMA has honored teachers who share their energy and enthusiasm for science to cultivate student interest in science as well – perhaps enough to become physicians one day.
“Your dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to excellence in science teaching will have a profound impact on the future – including cultivating interest in medical professions that improve the health of all Texans,” TMA President-Elect Jayesh B. “Jay” Shah, MD, told the teachers during the awards ceremony. Dr. Shah also chairs TMA’s Educational Scholarships and Loans Committee, which oversees the awards.
Grand Prize Winner: Selene Verhofstad, EdD, teaches chemistry at Pasadena Virtual School in Pasadena. “Dr. Verhofstad has been inspiring young minds for over a decade with her passion for [chemistry] and her infectious enthusiasm for teaching,” reads one of the nominee’s recommendation letters. Through her inquiry-based learning philosophy, she fosters an environment where students explore, question, and discover, igniting in her students a lifelong love of knowledge. Beyond the classroom, Dr. Verhofstad’s impact is equally profound as she serves as a mentor and coach for students’ Academic Decathlon, Octathlon, and Science University Interscholastic League teams, guiding students to success.
Distinguished Award Honoree: Jamie Flint teaches honors and Advanced-Placement (AP) chemistry at Spring Woods High School in the Spring Branch area of Houston. With 20 years’ teaching experience, Ms. Flint breaks from conventional teaching norms by infusing her lessons with real-world relevance and hands-on experimentation, creating an immersive learning experience, according to her nomination. Beyond her classroom duties, she mentors colleagues and stays abreast of the latest advancements in science education, ensuring top-tier instruction for her students. Ms. Flint’s commitment is reflected in her students’ outstanding performance on AP chemistry exams, with 71% passing in 2022 and 91% in 2023.
Distinguished Award Honoree: Christi Fuchs teaches STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) at Hunt Elementary School in Cuero. She says she has a passion for igniting curiosity and instilling critical thinking in her students. Ms. Fuchs has dedicated her career to developing innovative teaching methodologies that resonate with them. Her classroom serves as a dynamic hub of experimentation and discovery, where learning transcends textbooks through hands-on activities, real-world applications, and engaging demonstrations. Beyond her classroom, Ms. Fuchs inspires her peers and the broader educational community by collaborating with fellow educators to enhance STEM education on a wider scale.
Each honoree received a cash award and a resource grant for her school.
Award namesakes Dr. Ernest and Mrs. Sarah Butler fund the TMA awards because of their belief in the value of public education. They established an endowment at the TMA Foundation, TMA’s philanthropic arm, in 1998 to support and expand the program. A TMAF grant funds the annual awards through the endowment and gifts from other physicians and their families.
“Helping young people experience science positively will open their minds to opportunities far beyond what they may otherwise imagine. Good teachers are the key,” said Dr. and Mrs. Butler in a statement.
The 2025 awards are now open for nominations by any member of the public, and the TMA Foundation also accepts tax-deductible donations to support the awards. For more information, visit TMA’s Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards page.
TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing more than 57,000 physician and medical student members. It is in Austin and has 110 component county medical societies around the state. TMA’s key objective since 1853 is to improve the health of all Texans. The TMA Foundation raises funds to support the population health, science, and quality-of-care priority initiatives of TMA and the family of medicine.
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Contact: Brent Annear (512) 370-1381; cell: (512) 656-7320
Swathi Narayanan (512) 370-1382; cell: (408) 987-1318