Palmer — Traci Sanders, a science teacher at Colony High School, has been singled out as one of the best teachers in the nation.

She was chosen as an Amgen-NSTA Fellow in the 2009 NSTA (New Science Teacher Academy).

One of only 185 science teachers selected in the country and the only teacher in the group from Alaska, Sanders said, ”I very excited and honored to become a member in the NSTA and have the opportunity to participate in the several educational development activities provided.”

ROBERT DeBERRY/Frontiersman Colony High School science teacher Traci Sanders has been chosen as an Amgen-NSTA Fellow in the 2009 New Science Teacher Academy.

Sanders, in her fourth year of teaching science, said she loves teaching because she gets to see the students grow and develop intellectually.

The NSTA reports it selected the 2009 Fellows on the following criteria: evidence of a solid science background and displaying a strong interest in growing as a professional science educator. The NTSA foundation says it is dedicated to helping encourage excellence in science teaching, improve teachers’ abilities, and increase teachers’ scientific knowledge.

Partnered with the Amgen Foundation (Amgen is a developmental drug company), the fellowship allows teachers a membership into a year-long professional development course with greater access to teaching resources as well as scientific information.

“I am excited about the upcoming year and working with some great science teachers from the NSTA,” Sanders said.

Each teacher selected will receive financial aid to travel to the NSTA’s 2010 National Conference on Science Education in Philadelphia.

Contact Lanier Hutcheson at lanier.hutcheson@frontiersman.com or 352-2265.