2021 Chemistry Teacher of the Year Award Winners

Each year, AACT recognizes K–12 educators as the Chemistry Teacher of the Year in their respective grade bands. Through their pedagogy, dedication, skills, and accomplishments, these teachers make outstanding contributions to the chemistry teaching profession and AACT.

Pradip Misra has been teaching STEM at Bagdad Middle and High School for more than 10 years. He has a Bachelor’s in Physics, Chemistry and Math, a Bachelor of Education with a focus in guidance and counseling, and a Master’s in Physics, and two diplomas in management. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education at William Howard Taft University.

He has been honored with several recognitions, such as Governor’s Celebration of Innovation Teacher of the Year, Yavapai County Teacher of the Year, and Earth Science Teacher of the Year. He is a member of several other teaching organizations, including board positions for the Arizona Science Teachers Association and the National Earth Science Teachers Association. He has been a judge in Arizona Science Fair and an advocate of the International Science and Engineering Fair. When he’s not teaching, he enjoys playing soccer and tennis and climbing mountains.

After teaching high school chemistry for 37 years, first in public school and now in an all-girls independent school, chemical education is still Amiee Modic’s passion. Throughout her career, in addition to teaching, she has been actively involved in presenting to, and working with, other chemistry teachers through state and national organizations. She has been an officer in the Associated Chemistry Teachers of Texas (ACT₂) for many terms, a southwest regional ambassador for AACT, and two years acting as the liaison between AACT and the ACS Division of Chemical Education.

In addition to her service with ACT₂ and AACT Amiee has been active in her local ACS section by presenting workshops, serving on Education and Outreach committees (including NCW and CCEW), and promoting chemical education opportunities in her section and region. At the national level, she was privileged to be the USNCO High School Mentor from 2012–2014 and has been both a presenter and a committee member at BCCE. In 2019, Amiee was honored as an ACS Fellow for her contributions to chemical education. Most recently, she has been involved with the HACH Chemistry Teacher program as a mentor.

While in high school, Chemistry was Amiee’s most beloved class—it is still her passion and she would like to help her students and other chemical educators experience the great things chemistry has to offer. Amiee’s favorite student quote is “I want to put on a hazmat suit, shrink myself, and get inside that container to really watch what is happening!”