JOYCE TUGEL has been a leader in science education since she left the classroom in 2001 to become the science professional development specialist at the TERC Eisenhower Regional Alliance. In 2005 she came to work with Page Keeley at the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance, as a K-12 science specialist, where she managed and directed several projects and provided professional development support to schools and districts throughout New England and nationally. Recently “retired” from the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance, today she works as an independent K-12 STEM/Science Education Consultant. Her work primarily focuses on professional development in the areas of science curriculum, instruction and formative assessment, teacher leadership, service and place-based learning, and implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards.She is the lead professional development consultant for Curriculum Topic Study. 

Joyce is a contributing author of two books in the Uncovering Student Ideas in Science series (NSTA Press) and is a co-author of Science Curriculum Topic Study: Bridging the Gap Between Three-Dimensional Standards, Research, and Practice(2ndedition, Corwin/NSTA Press).  Joyce has also authored articles for the NSTA journals, Science and Children and The Science Teacher. 

Prior to leaving the classroom, Joyce taught high school chemistry & physical science for 10 years. As an active teacher leader, she collaborated with the Maine Department of Education and the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance. During her teaching career, Joyce received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Secondary Science Teaching in 1998, the Milken Foundation National Distinguished Educator Award in 1999, and the New England Institute of Chemists Secondary Teaching Award in 1999. As a dedicated NSTA member, she was the NSTA District II Director from 2000-2003 and the Professional Development Division Director from 2003-2006. She has served on the board of directors of both the National Science Education Leadership Association and the National Science Teachers Association. She is also a Cohort 3 Fellow of the National Academy for Science and Mathematics Education Leadership. Joyce also has a strong interest in global science education and has co-led science/STEM education delegations to Iceland (2017), Panama (2018), and Costa Rica (2019) with Page.

Prior to entering the teaching profession, Joyce was a researcher in environmental biogeochemistry at the University of New Hampshire and liked to “dabble in mud”! She received her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Microbiology from the University of New Hampshire. In her “spare time” she enjoys photography, breadmaking, knitting, and exploring the world with her grandchildren.  A New Hampshire resident for 40 years, Joyce and her husband reside in Barrington, NH. Joyce can be contacted at <jtugel@gmail.com>