On November 7-8, the North Carolina Science Teachers Association (NCSTA) hosted the annual Professional Development Institute at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Cliff Hudson, conference committee chairperson, headed the committee charged with the responsibility of planning and executing the 2-day conference.
Over 550 science educators from all areas of the state gathered for over 130 concurrent sessions, daily keynote speakers, and an award ceremony and reception honoring over 20 of NC’s best science educators. This year’s keynote speakers were Dr. Carol O’Donnell, the science director of the Smithsonian Institute and Dr. Nehemiah Mabry, STEM Speaker, Engineer, Educator and Entrepreneur.
Cliff Hudson, assistant principal at South Creek Middle School in Martin County, is the outgoing Immediate Past President of NCSTA. He has been a board member for 7 years with a variety of leadership roles. He was District 1 director, President-Elect, President, Past President, finance committee member and conference committee member and chairperson. NCSTA’s Board of Directors is a working board and consequently, Cliff has participated in a variety of duties during his board membership. His continued presence on the board is a source of leadership and stability, providing much guidance to newer board members and helping implement innovative changes as they become necessary. His work with virtual solutions during the pandemic contributed to creating a cohesiveness that helped the board remain strong, even when face-to-face meetings and conferences were impossible.
Prior to his current position, Mr. Hudson worked 10 years as a high school science teacher, served 5 years as the district level Science/STEM coordinator and 5 years as school level administration as assistant principal in Martin County. He was awarded the NAGT Outstanding Earth Science Award in 2009 and the NCSTA Outstanding District Award in 2014. He continues to serve Martin County and North Carolina as a leading science educator.