Congratulations to Dr. Debi Hanuscin — 2025 WSTA Excellence in Science Teaching Award Recipient!

SMATE is proud to celebrate Dr. Debi Hanuscin, who has been named the 2025 Washington Science Teachers Association (WSTA) Excellence in Science Teaching Award recipient! This prestigious statewide honor recognizes educators who inspire curiosity, foster inclusion, and make a lasting impact on science education in Washington and beyond.

Dr. Hanuscin, who holds a joint appointment in the Department of Elementary Education and the Science, Math, and Technology Education (SMATE) program at Western Washington University, exemplifies the very best of science education. Through her long tenure as a teacher and researcher, she has impacted countless preservice teachers through her science education courses, supported in-service teachers through NSF-funded grants such as CREST (Culturally Responsive Elementary Science Teaching) and CKT-Matter, and built meaningful community partnerships highlighted in local media, check out the articles at GoSkagit.com and La Conner Community News.

Her work extends far beyond the classroom. As a former President of the Association for Science Teacher Education (ASTE), Dr. Hanuscin has demonstrated her deep commitment to advancing science education at local, state, and national levels. She embodies the spirit of the WSTA award through her promotion of culturally responsive practices that broaden participation and representation for underrepresented groups, her efforts to connect science learning to community and culture, and her contagious drive that impacts learners of all ages.  

Earlier this year, Dr. Hanuscin was also recognized by Western Washington University with the 2025 Excellence in Teaching Award, honoring her outstanding contributions to teaching and her dedication to fostering inclusive and equitable learning environments. Read more about this prestigious award: here for more information.

Dr. Hanuscin’s impact has been decades in the making. Western is made better by her scholarship, mentorship, and the selfless energy she invests in her students, colleagues, and the broader science education community. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Debi Hanuscin on this well-deserved recognition—her leadership, creativity, and dedication continue to shape the future of science education and inspire all who strive to make learning equitable, inclusive, and engaging.