Board Positions
2020 Election Ballot
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Current (paid dues) Members should now vote on these candidates. Dues can be paid at the NMAS website: www.nmas.org
View the biographies of the nominees below.
E-mail a copy of the below ballot to: nmas@nmas.org OR knollmalva16@gmail.com
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** All votes must be received by 8:00pm MST
Thursday, December 12, 2019 **
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*************************** BALLOT ***************************
President-Elect Ms. Gretchen Gurtler _____yes _____no
Vice President Mr. Joe Hastings _____yes _____no
Treasurer Dr. Deb Thrall _____yes _____no
Director at Large Ms. Margaret Showalter _____yes _____no
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President Elect - Gretchen Gürtler
Ms. Gretchen Gürtler would like to be considered for the position of President-Elect for the New Mexico Academy of Science. She is currently the Director of Museums at Ghost Ranch Education and Retreat Center in Abiquiu, New Mexico; a position that she has held since 2019. Before coming of Ghost Ranch she a faculty member at Mesalands Community College for nine years; teaching several courses including: Introduction to Environmental Science, Meteorology and Climate Diversity, Scientific Research and Presentation; and Museum Science. Ms. Gürtler is the advocacy representative for New Mexico Association of Museums, a board member of The New Mexico Partnership for Math and Science Education (NMPMSE) through New Mexico First, and a participant in New Mexico Informal Science Education Network (NMISE). Her current research is supported through grants from Community College Undergraduate Research Initiative (NSF #111-8679). Before moving to New Mexico, Ms. Gürtler was fortunate to receive a fellowship through the National Science Foundation from 2009 to 2011 which allowed her to conduct paleontological research at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, and complete her graduate studies. Ms. Gürtler holds a Master of Public Administration and a Master of Arts degree in Museum Science from Texas Tech University. Ms. Gürtler has served as an NMAS Director at Large and is currently filling an appointment as NMAS President-Elect.
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Vice President – Joe Hastings
Joe Hastings is the Executive Director of Explora, a hands-on learning center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He works with a talented staff of over 100 educators, exhibit builders, and high school interns. The mission of Explora is to create opportunities for inspirational discovery and the joy of learning through interactive experiences in science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Explora is recognized internationally for its innovative exhibits, programs, and approach to community engagement. Joe started his career at the Exploratorium in San Francisco, where he worked for 13 years in various roles including as the Director of Museum Partnerships. At the Exploratorium, Joe worked with museums and science centers in the US and abroad, from Laredo, Rochester, and Sarasota to Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, and Abu Dhabi. He is a 2009 Noyce Leadership Fellow and is on the boards of the Association of Children’s Museums, the Taos Youth Soccer League, and Twirl Play and Discovery Space. Joe previously served as a board member of the Association of Science and Technology Centers and Amarillo Habitat for Humanity. Joe is married to Jasmin Hastings, and together they have three children: Sam, 17; Ben, 15; and Anna, 11.
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Treasurer – Deb Thrall
Deb Thrall was awarded a Ph.D. in Education from the UNM and has taught in middle/high school and university classrooms for 25 years in Oklahoma and New Mexico in the areas of biology, chemistry, physics, chemical hygiene management, radiation fundamentals and nuclear technology. She has worked with the American Nuclear Society ANS to promote the study of nuclear science for high school teachers by writing curriculum and providing workshops in Arizona and New Mexico. Deb Thrall served on the board of the NM Science Teachers Association for 20 years and currently serves as the Chair of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Explora!. Deb is the Executive Director of the Albert I. Pierce Foundation, a charitable organization in support of the arts, education and the environment.
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Director at Large – Margaret Showalter
Margaret Showalter has been involved in science education in New Mexico for over 20 years during which she has taught at traditional public school, charter schools, and an independent school. She has also worked in informal science education, mentored new teachers, and presented numerous professional development workshops. In addition to a BA in Education, Margaret also has BS and MS degrees in Chemistry. In addition to various levels of Chemistry, she has also taught Physics, Physical Science, and Integrated Science. She also helped develop a novel chemistry course that utilizes materials science to teach fundamental chemistry concepts. She is currently teaching at La Academia de Esperanza, a charter school in Albuquerque’s South Valley. At Esperanza, Margaret has created a makerspace where an at-risk population can use high tech tools and equipment to re-engage with school.
Over the course of her career Margaret has been active with a variety of professional societies and organizations, including the American Chemical Society and the American Physical Society. She has been involved for over a decade with the ASM Materials Education Foundation, which recently honored her with the 2019 Kishor M. Kulkarni Distinguished High School Teacher Award. Margaret is excited about the opportunity to participate in NMAS and help this distinguished organization continue to support science and science education in New Mexico.
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