For 29 years, Barbara Neureither was an outstanding teacher at Holt High School where distinguished herself for her unfailing commitment to improving the teaching and learning of science and for her extraordinary skill, knowledge and love of the profession. She is now a specialist at the Division of Science and Mathematics in MSU’s College of Natural Science and at the Department of Teacher Education in the MSU’s College of Education.
Described as the definition of a master teacher, Ms. Neureither began her career as a biology teacher and science has remained a driving force in her life. Among the most beloved teachers at Holt High School, she was widely regarded for her student-centered approach. She established her classes as communities of learners and was relentless in her attempts to actively engage and challenge her students in the amazing world of human biology and science. Her commitment was total. She developed a seminar to help her students design science units they could teach to elementary students, started the Science Olympiad at Holt High School, and co-authored a computerized matrix to help biology teachers find teaching activities that matched their goals for particular lessons. Her honors for teaching are many, including the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Excellence Award in 1987, the Milken Family Foundation’s National Educator Award in 1991, the Presidential Scholars Distinguished Teacher Award in 1993, and the Science Olympiad Distinguished Service Award in 1999.
She received both her bachelor’s degree (1972) in biology (secondary education) and her master’s degree (1978) in curriculum and teaching from Michigan State University.