American Association Of Physics Teachers Inc

From 1987 to 2005, I was a member of AAPT and ISPP. Over those years I attended many meetings of the organizations and was a contributor to the meetings. The organizations increased my personal knowledge of effective methods of teaching physics. I learned how to adapt laboratory experiments and classroom demonstrations to the community college teaching environment. I discovered that no matter how many years of teaching experience you have, you will always learn something new from one of the many colleagues in these organizations. I found that the participants were always generous with their time and experience. I always found the atmosphere of the organizations open and friendly. This was an excellent support system for any physics teacher.

In 1967 I first became a member of this organization. As a professor of physics for over 40 years this organization provides me with current philosophy and cutting edge ideas for the teaching of physics. Both publication of The Physics Teacher journal and National/Regional meetings are rich sources for the teaching of physics.

I am a HS physics teacher and have participated in numerous professional development activities throughout my career. The best PD that I receive is a direct result of my membership in AAPT. The publication "The Physics Teacher" is a wealth of ideas and inspiration and something that I read thoroughly and I look forward to the opportunity to attend professional meetings sponsored by AAPT and the information that I learn at them.

I cannot imagine my professional life without being a member of AAPT. I have been a member for over 15 years. The people i have met through conferences have made, and continue to make, permanent markings on my teaching. I love the fact that all educators are viewed as equal and that everyone is able to present at a meeting. I leave every meeting simultaneously inspired and exhausted.

After I received the Excellence in Pre-College Teaching Award from the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) in 2003, I was asked what advice I would give new teachers. After about ten minutes of thought, I realized that the answer was simple: "Join AAPT!" Why? Because most of what has helped me to improve as a physics teachers has come from AAPT workshops and AAPT meetings. AAPT is a great forum for physics teachers at all levels to interact and improve the teaching of physics. I couldn't imagine being a physics teacher without it.

I am a retired high school physics from the Chicago area. AAPT has been a great resource and support organization even before I graduated from college. At the start of my career, as most physics teachers, I was the only physics teacher in my high school. I became a better and more confident teacher because AAPT existed and because of the opportunity to interact with experienced and neophyte physics teachers. The life long professional and social relationships I formed has continued to enrich my professional and personal life.

I am in the process of developing a science interactive center in our small rural town and the resources available from AAPT and its members are invaluable. Having taught physics overseas I can attest to the high quality of physics teaching in the U.S. and know much of that quality is because of the existence of AAPT.

AAPT has helped me in so many ways. It has given me many experiences, teaching ideas, and physics knowledge that I have used to make myself a better teacher. More importantly, my students have recieved better instruction because of AAPT and how they have shaped my teahing and understanding of physics

I have been a member of AAPT for only 18 years of my 25-year career. And I wonder how different my career would have been if I had found out about it sooner! I am sooo proud to teach physics. I know of no other field where at a meeting of the professional organization, you can attend talks by Nobel Prize winners and other notables in the field, as well as attending workshops on the practical day-to-day problems you have in your classroom. My teaching has evolved over the 18 years because of my attendance of and participation in AAPT meetings. I have made friends, re-established contact with former colleagues, re-connected with a cherished professor.

There are activities of the organization that are not as helpful: I do not find "The Physics Teacher" to be particularly helpful. I find an occasional article or letter that is helpful, but usually do no more that glance through the journal every month.

I also find the "find a job" part of the web site to be very useful, as there are very few jobs listed. If AAPT is going to the trouble of listing job openings, it should actively seek the listings.

And my third complaint, is that it is hard to find the right person to communicate with. Several years ago, I went to China to work with science teachers for a few weeks and wanted to take something with me from the AAPT . I sent similar requests to the NSTA and American Chemical Soc. I received responses from the other groups, but none from the AAPT.

But the meetings are so helpful and inspirational!