Ann Levinson is the 2002 winner of the Regional High School Chemistry Teacher Award. She has just recently joined the staff of the Chicagoland Jewish High School, Martin Grove, Illinois, after a number of years at Niles Township High School, Skokie, Illinois. Ms. Levinson has received a number of awards during her career, among them the Davidson Award for Outstanding Chemistry Teacher in Illinois, and recognition by the U.S. Chemistry Olympiad Committee and the ACS Chicago Section.

Ms. Levinson believes "that all can learn chemistry" and her success supports that belief. Her approach in the classroom is guided by the ACS Olympiad standards, wherein she combines basic drill in classical chemistry with computer-based laboratory sessions. Further, she demonstrates to her students that science in general and chemistry in particular are invaluable assets in better understanding the world around them, and how the scientific methods can be applied in making decisions based on available data in many aspects of life.

Her classes have won gold and silver medals in the International Chemistry Olympiad, taken top scores on the A. P. chemistry exams, taken advantage of research opportunities at nearby universities and laboratories, won scholarships, and volunteered to work with the "Demos for Grade Schools" program.

Ms. Levinson provides an atmosphere of cooperative learning as a self-directed process, and she emphasizes the need for proficiency in scientific writing. She also brings in environmental chemistry through the use of microscale chemistry in the laboratory. This approach, combined with her enthusiasm, has proven its effectiveness in the increase of young women signing up for her classes-an increase over the years of from 5% to 50%!