As someone who loves learning but often struggled with school, I am dedicated to developing equitable systems that center students and focus on learning over grades. This award signifies that excellence in teaching is not based on perfection but in the messiness of co-constructing knowledge and enabling students to bring their whole selves to class. I am proud and humbled to be recognized for the deep work of ensuring all students grow in their understanding and wonder about the natural world.

Johanna Brown Pullman, WA | 7-12, Science, 2021

The official biography below was current at the time of the award.

Johanna Brown taught 11th grade chemistry at Pullman High School (PHS) for seven years after serving as the science instructor at The Excel Center in Lafayette, Indiana. At PHS, Johanna started an Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry program, and after learning to code, an AP Computer Science A program. Additionally, Johanna coached the Knowledge Bowl Team, the Science Bowl Team (to six consecutive national appearances), and was the science department chair. She now is Associate Director for Secondary Science at the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, a position she has held for the past two years. In the classroom, Johanna utilized resources to connect students to industry and research. She partnered with an engineering professor to co-teach materials science and have students use tensile testers to study polymer deformation, took students to explore food science research labs, and won a $10,000 grant for a STEAM project in which her chemistry and PHS art students worked collaboratively to develop and test glazes for ceramics. Johanna is passionate about equity and sustainability. She is a national presenter on equitable grading practices, most notably at the 2022 National Congress on Science Education. Her work in green chemistry led to partnering with a chemist at the Washington State Department of Ecology to present multiple workshops on teaching sustainability in science for K-12 teachers. Johanna is a 2022 recipient of the National Science Teaching Association’s Robert E. Yager exemplary teaching award. Johanna earned a B.A. in chemistry from Western Washington University, an M.I.T. from Washington State University, and is currently completing an Education Specialist degree at the University of Idaho. She is a National Board Certified Teacher.

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