University Lab School Teacher JoAnna Stewart, NBCT, Named 2025 Outstanding Chemistry Teacher of the Year by American Chemical Society

BATON ROUGE, LA – JoAnna Stewart, NBCT, high school chemistry teacher at LSU University Lab School (ULS), was named the 2025 Outstanding Chemistry Teacher of the Year by the Baton Rouge Local Section of the American Chemical Society. JoAnna Stewart
 
"I am truly honored to receive this recognition and grateful for the many influences that shaped my teaching over the years, including my family's encouragement to pursue new opportunities, my administration's support in developing new initiatives, the collaboration and inspiration from my ULS science department, and the joy of seeing students discover the fun in chemistry,” Stewart said. 
 
Stewart has been a chemistry teacher for 15 years, with 10 of those years being at ULS. A National Board Certified educator in chemistry, Stewart is passionate about making science engaging, rigorous and relevant. As department chair and Club Med sponsor, she organizes service events, such as student-led blood drives; secures grants to enhance classroom instruction; hosts annual Halloween chemistry demonstrations for younger students; and chaperones students to London to present their research on an international stage. Stewart holds a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, a master’s degree in natural sciences, and is currently pursuing a certificate of education specialist in science education at LSU. 
 
“I am incredibly proud to celebrate our chemistry teacher, JoAnna Stewart, for being named the Outstanding Chemistry Teacher of the Year! This well-deserved recognition reflects her dedication to inspiring curiosity, deep thinking, and a true love of science in our students,” Aimee Welch-James, ULS High School Principal and Associate Director of Academic Programs & Services, said. “JoAnna’s achievement shines a light on the excellence happening in our classrooms every day and strengthens our school’s commitment to academic innovation and student success.” 
 
American Chemical Society is a non-profit scientific organization founded in 1876 and chartered by the United States Congress. Their mission is to advance scientific knowledge, empower a global community and champion scientific integrity. There are more than 200 branches worldwide. 
 
Stewart will be honored at the Coates Award Banquet on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, where she will receive a $500 award as well as $500 to ULS to celebrate her contributions to chemistry education. 

About the University Laboratory School
The University Laboratory School (ULS) is one of the six schools operated under the auspices of the Louisiana State University College of Human Sciences & Education. This model demonstration school exists to provide training opportunities for pre- and in-service teachers and to serve as a demonstration and educational research center. The school is located on the main campus of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Our motto is “Total Effort in Every Endeavor” and the University Laboratory School community aspires toward total effort in every endeavor for maximum student achievement through the development, implementation, and demonstration of exemplary programs and instructional practices.

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