The Chemistry Teacher of the Year for 1999 began the academic preparation for her future career in a small school in North Carolina. Her interesting autobiography reveals clearly the sweeping changes which have occurred in education and especially in science education since that time. For example, her science teacher in high school was also her English teacher, yet she is still impressed by the enthusiasm and skills which he brought to his classes. Her own flexibility and creativity have enabled this science teacher to adjust both her teaching methods and her use of technology to the constantly changing needs of her own students. Impressive is the fact that her classes were selected by the Milken Foundation to participate in a national training video on the effective use of technology in the classroom.

Because her first job experience included several years as a biochemistry laboratory technician, our candidate recognizes especially well the necessity of teaching her students to become true problem solvers. Being provided with "hands on" activities on a regular basis, using CBLs (calculator based learning), ultra-violet spectrometers and other kinds of technical equipment are similarly part of the teaching repertoire she employs in order to achieve this goal. The list of this teacher's extracurricular and community activities is extensive as are the institutes and courses in which she has participated in order to improve her effectiveness as a chemistry teacher. Workshops given at state meetings are likewise a part of this fine teacher's resume. The only negative in her application is the fact that our winner is described as a real "workaholic" when it comes to teaching chemistry! The selection committee of the SC Association of Chemistry Teachers is pleased and proud to present the award of Chemistry Teacher of the Year to Linda Webster Poteat.

It is patently obvious from her autobiography that the recipient of the Physical Science Teacher of the Year Award for 1999 loves young people. She also loves science, and she succeeds in most effective ways to combine these two loves. Our recipient for this award received her undergraduate degree from the College of Charleston and has been actively engaged in teaching in Charleston and Columbia during and since her own formal education at the College. She has been improving her knowledge base and methodology in science instruction in a variety of courses at the University of SC, the College of Charleston and other schools on a regular basis since her graduation Additionally, our winner has been active in attending professional meetings and has presented workshops in order to share her expertise with other science teachers. This young woman has set the example in her school for how teachers can become mentors to other new teachers as well as to their own students. Her accessibility at any time, her involvement in extracurricular activities and in community projects are only some of the reasons why this young woman has been singled out for recognition. Among the comments supporting her nornination for this award were included the fact that not only did this fine teacher bring a strong background in content to her classes but that her enthusiasm is infectious, spilling over to both colleagues and students, Our candidate was honored by being named Teacher of The Year at her school for the year 1994-95. The selection committee of the SC Association of Chemistry Teachers is proud to recognize Patty Anne Drews as the Physical Science Teacher of the Year for 1999.