This month, we recognize KeriAnn Rubin for her work with Penn State University's Earth and Space Science Partnership (ESSP) and congratulate her as she finishes her Master’s degree in the College of Education at Penn State. Prior to entering graduate school, KeriAnn taught 7th and 8th grade at Saint Patrick School in Newry, where she received a FirstEnergy grant to purchase equipment necessary for students to measure energy consumption of common technological devices.

This month, we recognize Beverly Weinstein at Franklin D. Roosevelt Middle School in Bristol Township.

This month, we recognize Dale Kraynak of Steelton-Highspire High School for his service in the roll of Secretary/Treasurer of the Pennsylvania Earth Science Teachers Association (PAESTA) and for serving as the first K-12 teacher in this leadership position. As a 9th grade Earth and space science teacher with over ten years of teaching experience, Dale has contributed "behind the scenes" as a member of the Executive Committee of PAESTA in promoting and advancing the the profession of Earth and space science teaching in Pennsylvania.

This month, we recognize PAESTA President Kelly Hunter for going above-and-beyond in her duties as the leader of our organization.  In the past month alone, Kelly has participated in a conference call with the National Earth Science Teachers Association (NESTA) to report on PAESTA's activities and upcoming events, co-presented to the Penn State Earth and Space Science Partnership Advisory Board about PAESTA and its strategic plan, and coordinated and worked at a PAESTA information table at the Franklin Institute's Educators' Night Out.

This month, we recognize Susan Lauver for her daily attention and dedication she gives to our PAESTA organization.  Sue is the Project Manager for Penn State University's Earth and Space Science Partnership and has provided essential staff support for all of PAESTA's activities.  From ordering PAESTA conference bags and Earth Science Week kits, to creating name tags and checking in attendees at our annual conferences, Sue has played a critical role in helping the organization serve the needs of the Earth and Space Science teaching community.

This month, we recognize Adam Durant, 7th and 8th grade science teacher that started at The Meredith School in Philadelphia last year.  In the words of his nominator: "He has been a breath of fresh air. Overall, I would say that his biggest impact is the continued improvement of the Meredith students' work for the end of the year science fair. The projects are more clearly organized, objectives are more often measurable, and the presentations were more attractive and easier to follow. In the classroom, Mr. Durant is efficient, organized, and enthusiastic about science.

This month, we recognize Al Dorsch, newly-appointed Assistant Principal of Shenango High School. Al is known for creative and engaging projects for students in his science classroom, such as his five activities for differentiated classroom instruction on human-induced climate change. He published this innovative set of curricular materials in The Earth Scientist (2009) and was a lead author on a poster presentation at the Northeastern Section and Southeastern Section Joint Meeting of the Geological Society of America (Baltimore, 2010).

This month, we recognize Walter Wilkinson from Northwest Middle School in the Reading School District in Leesport, PA. Wally has led the efforts at his school to create a school garden as an outdoor learning laboratory. With support from parents and community members, the garden serves as a site for education and environmental awareness. The food is harvested, prepared and served in their school cafeteria, and extra food is donated to a local food pantry.

This month, we recognize Greg Collins from Southern Lehigh High School in Center Valley. In the short time of PAESTA's existence, Greg has stepped up as one of PAESTA's most dedicated leaders and innovators. Greg has been serving as the PAESTA News and Notes Assistant Editor, adding recommended curricula to each issue and taking on the task of creating a database of all recommended resources.

This month, we recognize PAESTA's webmaster, Eric Aitala. Eric joined the staff of Penn State's Earth and Space Science Partnership in 2012 and immediately took on the task of creating a new online presence for the PAESTA organization. Eric has not only established a website with valuable information for Earth and space science teachers; he has also worked tirelessly on developing online opportunities for PAESTA member collaborations and contributions.