Blackhawk's ROB PUSKAS wins 2016 PA Outstanding Biology Teacher Award!
Press Release
July 15, 2016
Mr. Robert Puskas, 2016 Pennsylvania Outstanding Biology Teacher Awardee
The National Association of Biology Teachers, in conjunction with Prentice Hall and the Duquesne University Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, is pleased to present Mr. Robert Puskas of Blackhawk High School with the 2016 Pennsylvania Outstanding Biology Teacher Award. This honor, given annually since 1961, identifies a teacher from each of the United States, its possessions, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and Canada who has made valuable contributions to the profession and to his/her students. Criteria for the award include teaching ability, experience, inventiveness, initiative, inherent teaching strengths, and cooperativeness in the school and community.
Mr. Puskas received his B.S. from the Pennsylvania State University in wildlife science in 2004 and is presently pursuing a M. Ed. from Robert Morris University. Prior to education Rob worked as a field biologist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and National Wildlife Re-search Center for 6 years focusing on raccoon movement and dispersal associated with the ridges and valleys of Pennsylvania. Rob began his teaching career with the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School (2010-2013) serving the Blackhawk HS community from 2013-present. Rob serves as an instructor of Advanced Placement Environmental Science, Laboratory Biology, Keys to Biology, and Project Based Assessment Biology. Rob is the president of the Blackhawk Education Association, an active member of the district technology council, as well as advisor to the Fly Fishing and Basketball Clubs. Rob has also been extremely active in the community working with academic and corporate partners to enhance opportunities for high school students throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania in the areas of science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM). He serves as an advisor and lead teacher for the Global Passport Project partnering Blackhawk students with First Energy and the Community College of Beaver County to provide real world problem solving and research opportunities in and out of the classroom.
Mr. Puskas has been highly active in the area of professional growth throughout his teaching career. He has been a participant in numerous educational workshops, including the National Association of Biology Teachers, the National Science Teachers Association, the College Board, the Wildlife Society of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania State Education Association, and the Consortium for Public Education. He has shared his professional expertise by serving as a presenter at numerous venues, including the organizations previously mentioned. He continues to serve as a lead educator for the Pittsburgh area, continuing to translate his science expertise into practical, powerful educational materials, developing numerous laboratory investigations and student-centered activities for high school science curricula.
For his accomplishments and service, Rob will be presented with his official award plaque at a special presentation given by the NABT at its 2016 National Convention in Denver, Colorado. In addition to the certificate, he will receive a complimentary year membership in NABT, a cash award generously provided by the Duquesne University Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, and additional gifts from various Science Education companies.
The NABT is extremely proud of his accomplishments, and the news of his award. State Director Mark Krotec said: “Blackhawk School District should be grateful and proud of the efforts of this gifted, innovative and dedicated educator. Rob Puskas’s commitment to science and science education has resulted in impressive student-based instruction and the establishment of powerful community educational relationships. He has successfully managed to lead his science department and surrounding educational area to adopt novel student-centered activities both in and outside of the classroom. Rob has clearly set a high standard for life science education in the Blackhawk area. Glowing tributes from his students and colleagues revealed great admiration of his work ethic, creativity, and a sincere desire to reach all of his students. Clearly, he continues to have a profound impact reaching students throughout the region, as well as his professional colleagues. He is truly deserving of the Outstanding Biology Educator Award.”