About Us
Welcome!
I'm Michael Farabaugh, the Governing Board President here at AACT. I've been a chemistry teacher for over 25 years and am thrilled to welcome you to our community of chemistry educators and enthusiasts.
Who We Are
The American Association of Chemistry Teachers (AACT) was an initiative of the American Chemical Society (ACS), brought about in 2014 to serve as a professional community by and for K-12 chemistry teachers. We're continuously learning and growing, and happy to have you here with us on that journey!
One of the greatest strengths of AACT is that it's not just a place to visit and find resources, it's a lively community.
Our Members
Our Membership is comprised primarily of K-12 teachers but also includes members from colleges, pre-service teachers, industrial people, and professionals from non-traditional roles such as individuals from museums.
Vision and Mission
We strive to inspire and empower K–12 teachers of chemistry and are always looking for new ways to support their success by providing quality resources, professional development, and networking opportunities.
Goals
Our governing board is comprised of AACT members who are current and former teachers from across the country who are excited to offer their unique perspectives and expertise. In collaboration with the AACT team, we aim to:
- Increase the number and quality of networking and communication opportunities among current and future AACT members.
- Promote cultural responsiveness in our classrooms and champion inclusive classroom materials.
- Increase participation and impact of relevant and accessible professional development opportunities for all educators.
Overall, I'm passionate about connecting teachers. Enthusiasm is contagious, and everyone has something interesting to share even if they don't feel like they do. I know teachers who have been teaching for a long time can inspire new teachers, and vice versa.
Getting Involved
There are many ways to start exploring all that AACT has to offer. The articles from Chemistry Solutions stand out to me because teachers are able to share personal stories, showcase their favorite activity, or explore how they solved a challenge they overcame in the classroom.
Feel free to also start by exploring our classroom resources, submitting an article to our periodical, perusing the ChemMatters archive, or signing up for one of our webinars.
You can also view our membership benefits for comprehensive information on what's available to you. We are always happy to hear from you and thank you for being a vital part of our community.
Also, don't forget to connect with me on Twitter or check out my YouTube channel!
Sincerely,
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Michael Farabaugh
Board President, AACT
2023–2024
farabaughchemistry@gmail.com