Sherry Claflin Receives AGI's Roy Award for Excellence in K-8 Earth Science Teaching

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Sherry Claflin, an eighth-grade Earth science teacher at White Cloud Junior High School in White Cloud, Michigan, has been named the 2020 recipient of the Edward C. Roy Jr. Award for Excellence in K-8 Earth Science Teaching.  (Note: Sherry is the Publicity Chairperson on the MESTA Board of Directors.)

Claflin earned her bachelor's degrees in Earth and space science education and journalism from Central Michigan University. In her 26 years as an educator, Claflin has received recognitions including the Michigan Earth Science Association's Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Award and the National Association of Geoscience Teachers' Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Award for Central Michigan.

In addition to teaching Earth science in her current position, Claflin has served as an editor and contributing writer for Michigan Earth Scientist, an adjunct geology instructor at Muskegon Community College, a teacher at Annis Water Resources Institute, and an education and outreach consultant for the Newaygo Conservation District's Stephen F. Wessling Observatory and Kropscott Farm Environmental Center. With her guidance, Claflin's recently students won the Lexus Eco Air and Climate Challenge.

"Ms. Claflin is an inspiring Earth science educator," said Sharon Tahirkheli, Interim Executive Director of the American Geosciences Institute. "A lifelong learner who leads both her students and her colleagues by example, she champions inquiry-based Earth science education in her school and throughout her community."

Claflin will receive the award in April at the National Earth Science Teachers Association (NESTA) Friends of Earth Science Reception during the 2020 National Science Teaching Association Conference in Boston.

Given annually, AGI's Edward C. Roy Jr. Award recognizes one classroom teacher from kindergarten to eighth grade for leadership and innovation in Earth science education. The award is named in honor of Dr. Edward C. Roy Jr., who was a strong and dedicated supporter of Earth science education.