American Modeling Teachers Association
Annual Report – 2023
What is AMTA?
Mission
The American Modeling Teachers Association (AMTA) enhances student learning in STEM through teacher professional development by providing classroom-tested instructional materials that are optimized for Modeling InstructionTM classrooms; encouraging collaboration within the ModelingTM community; and conducting research in the Modeling InstructionTM pedagogy.
Values
- AMTA is dedicated to putting the teacher voice in the forefront, as exhibited by our motto ‘‘by teachers, for teachers, about teaching”
- AMTA promotes reflective teaching practices
- AMTA values providing the highest quality, research-based science practices for students
- AMTA supports teachers to enable reflective learning in their students
- AMTA continuously evolves Modeling InstructionTM resources based on learning from actual classroom use
- AMTA is committed to promoting equity, inclusion, and social justice in for all student in every science classroom
Summary of 2023 Accomplishments
Workshops
A total of 28 modeling instruction workshops were offered in 2023 as listed below:
Chemistry I – 80 participants
Chemistry II – 4 participants
Physics -Mechanics – 75 participants
Physics – E & M – 18 participants
Biology – 18 participants
Middle School Math – 20 participants
Computational Modeling Physics First – 18 participants
Introduction to Modeling – 3 participants
Leadership Academy – 18 participants
Custom Professional Development
5 custom professional development experiences were developed and offered in the United States and abroad to provide teachers with basic information on modeling instruction.
Total of 69 participants in Custom Professional Development
Virtual courses
4 Distance learning courses were offered in 2023. Participant feedback was very positive in regards to our leaders, the content, the pedagogy, and the ability to learn without having to travel. In addition to Modeling Astronomy and Introduction to Modeling courses, AMTA offered 2 new distance learning courses this year to provide support to modelers who have already taken a workshop. These courses Guidance for Implementation of Modeling Physics and Guidance for Implementation of Modeling Chemistry were a success as were the distance learning courses in Astronomy and Introduction to Modeling Instruction. Total of Distance Learning = 69 participants
In addition to face-to-face workshops and virtual courses, AMTA offered
10 free webinars for STEM teachers
2 Connect Ed Events
24 PLCs
These learning opportunities were open to members and non-members. AMTA was happy to remain at the forefront of virtual professional development and allowing ANY and ALL science teachers who needed support to get it from our experienced, dedicated, and passionate teacher community!
2023 AMTA Staff and Board Members
Past-President – Melissa Girmscheid
President – Lynn Jorgensen
President-Elect – David Bates
Vice President – Brenda Royce
Secretary – Taylor Kaar
Treasurer – Lee Trampleasure
Members At Large – Stefanie Chow, Bryan Battaglia, Mark Lattery
Executive Office – Raymond Howanski
Senior Fellows- Colleen Megowan-Romanowicz, Larry Dukerich
Director of Communications – Erica Posthuma
Director of Member Services – Sue A. Rea
Founder and Advisor – David Hestenes, Ph.D
Co-founder and Advisor – Jane Jackson, Ph.D
Financial details
Total income : $385,305.74
Expenses
Program : $306,476.77
Administration : $41,931.88
Fundraising : $35,997.78
Total : $384,406.43
The Better Business Bureau recommends that organizations don’t spend more than 35% of their funding on their overhead expenses and spend at least 65% on their programs; Charity Navigator recommends spending 70% on programs.
AMTA spends 80% of its funding on programs.
Total net operating income – $899.31