Nichols Foundation Chemistry Teacher Award
Charles W. Nichols, Sr. established the Nichols Foundation Chemistry Teacher Award in 1958 to recognize highly effective teaching and inspirational leadership to students in chemistry. 

Shown at left in the picture is Maria Zeitlin of Smithtown High School East, the 2024 Nichols Foundation Chemistry Teacher Awardee.  She teaches AP Chemistry and serves as the Coordinator for the Science Research Program.  Former student Shray Thaker states: "Ms. Zeitlin gave countless hours as my guide through student research and college level chemistry. She is a lifelong mentor".


This award is generously supported by the William H. Nichols Fund for Chemistry at The Boston Foundation.
Recent Awardees               Complete List (PDF)
2024  Ms. Maria Zeitlin
           Smithtown High School East
2023  Ms. Xue Qing Liang
           New Utrecht High School
2022  Ms. Kristen Drury
           William Floyd High School
2021  Ms. Jamila Rukiya Harris
          Thurgood Marshall Academy for Learning
           and Social Change
2019 Mr. Paul Orbe
         Union City H.S. (NJ)
2018 Dr. Stephanie O'Brien
         Commack High School
2017 Ms. Carol E. Conti
         Briarcliff High School
2016 Mrs. Kristyn Pluchino
         Stuyvesant H.S.
2015 Ms. Yolette Wright
          Roosevelt High School
2014 Matthew Christiansen
          Islip Union Free H.S.
2013 Dr. Mina Aramani
         Union City High School
2012 Dr. Steven O'Malley
         Stuyvesant High School
2011 Mr. Ara Kahyaoglu
         Bergenfield High School

2010 Ms. Kay Sirianni
          Brooklyn Technical H.S.
2009  Mr. Steven Borneman        
           Byram Hills High School
2008  Ms. Aparna Subramanian
           Staten Island Technical H.S.
2007  Mr. Stephen Radice        
           Edward R. Murrow H.S.
2006 Sara Henry McCoy
          The Collegiate School
2005 Rebecca Isseroff
          Stella K Abram H.S.
2004 Richard Goodman
           Horace Greely H.S.
2003 Josephine Parlagreco
           Wellington C. Mepham H.S.
2002 Joseph Sencen
           Briarcliff H.S.
2001  James Signorelli
           Dwight Morrow H.S. High School
2000 Najla Hallak
           Office of Superintendent
            of Brooklyn Schools
Nominations due June 30, 2026
The Nichols Foundation Chemistry Teacher Award is presented annually to an outstanding high school chemistry teacher in the New York Section. Letters calling for nominations are sent in Spring to all area high schools.  The Nichols Teacher Award Jury deliberates and makes their decision by September.  The award, consisting of a plaque and $2000, is presented at the New York Section-wide Conference held in January. Awardees may be nominated for the ACS Division of Chemical Education regional award for excellence in high school teaching presented by the ACS Middle Atlantic Regional Meeting.

The rules of eligibility are as follows: The nominee must: 

  • posses a bachelor's degree with a major in chemistry
  • have at least five years of teaching experience
  • be currently employed as a chemistry teacher at the senior high school level
  • must live or teach within the New York Section of the American Chemical Society 
The award recipient will be selected on the basis of accomplishments that demonstrate: 
  • high quality teaching
  • an ability to challenge and inspire students
  • extracurricular work in chemistry (including science fairs, science clubs, and other activities that stimulate the interest of young people in chemistry and related science)
  • a willingness to keep up-to-date in the field of chemistry (as evidenced by publications, enrollment in courses and summer institutes, attendance at scientific meetings)

Click here to download the nomination form

For more information, please contact Nichols Teacher Award Jury Chair,  Mr. Stephen Radice, 917-502-5075, Email.