The National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) named Jason Russell, Southside High School teacher, the 2026 Outstanding Biology Teacher Award (OBTA) for Alabama.
Presented annually since 1961, the Outstanding Biology Teacher Award honors exceptional biology educators from each U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories and Canada who have made significant contributions to biology education and student learning, according to their website. Recipients are selected based on teaching excellence, experience, innovation, leadership, positive student-teacher relationships and service to their schools and communities.
Russell teaches AP Biology, Honors Biology and General Biology at Southside, where he is beginning his 11th year. He began his 25-year career working with youth on juvenile probation, providing individual, group and family counseling to help students get back on track academically and behaviorally.
“I wanted to be on the front side of a student’s behavioral life rather than the back side, where they experienced court related issues,” Russell said in an email to the Messenger. “I believe that kids are more than the mistakes that they have made. We all need second and third chances in life.”
That experience still shapes his classroom today, he said. Russell keeps a drawing given to him years ago by a student in the at-risk program who was later sent to adult prison, a reminder he shares with current students.
“The decisions we make have lasting impacts,” Russell said. “We are all one decision away from changing our lives, or someone else’s life, forever.”
A lifelong learner, Russell actively pursues professional learning opportunities to strengthen both his content knowledge and instructional practices. He also serves as a teacher leader, mentoring student teachers
“It is very satisfying to see practicum students become successful in their own classrooms,” Russell said. “I try to demonstrate how to set purposeful goals for our class and how to strategize a plan for success. I encourage our future leaders to connect with excellent professional leaders to assist in developing their classroom skills. I tell student teachers that we should teach every student like they are our own kids.”
Russel encourages his students to develop their own leadership skills through the school’s Science Club, where student leaders organize events connecting classmates with STEM professionals from across the state, he said.
“We have had a number of students come back and share their success stories with current students,” Russel said. “It is awesome to have students plan meaningful events for the betterment of their peers.”
Connecting biology to the world around his students, Russel incorporates relevant, real-world examples that help students understand the importance of science in their daily lives.
“Over the last 10 years, Biotechnology has exploded,” Russel said. “The classrooms and the labs are more computerized than ever. The biggest challenge over the last 10 years in science is that there is constant change in new discoveries covering the concepts of health care, agriculture and education.”
His commitment extends beyond the classroom through volunteer work collecting migratory game bird data, modeling scientific curiosity, civic engagement and lifelong learning.
Russell learned of his nomination for the award, which was submitted anonymously by a colleague in the teaching community, and involved his students directly in the application process, including proofreading and video submissions.
“Without them, I would not be in this position,” Russell said. “I believe that the OBTA award is a great indicator that our school, district and educational region has great things going on within our classrooms. It isn’t just my classroom. Our schools are full of excellent teachers.”
Russell credited community mentors and his Christian faith, developed through relationships formed early in his life, as central to his motivation to serve students.
Russell will be formally recognized during the National Association of Biology Teachers Professional Development Conference in Dallas, Texas, in October. As part of the award, he and the school will receive honorary certificates, and Russell will receive a gift certificate from Carolina Biological Supply Company and a complimentary one-year NABT membership.
“The National Association of Biology Teachers is proud to recognize Jason Russell’s outstanding contributions to life science education,” said Jennifer Hutchison, Alabama OBTA director in a press release. “Jason exemplifies the qualities of an exceptional educator through his dedication to students, commitment to professional growth and leadership within Alabama’s science education community. His impact extends well beyond his classroom, making him a truly deserving recipient of the 2026 Outstanding Biology Teacher Award.”
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