30 teachers from the Southeast Tennessee region will convene in Chattanooga on May 24 to launch a year of professional training as part of the 2012-2013 STEM Teaching Fellows Cohort. The STEM Teaching Fellows program aims to increase students’ hands-on learning experiences in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) by giving educators new skills and resources to use in their classrooms. The program is presented by the Southeast Tennessee STEM Innovation Hub, a resource and training center supported by the many partnering businesses, nonprofits, school districts and colleges involved in the regional STEM Initiative.
Superintendents from six school districts in Southeast Tennessee nominated pairs of outstanding elementary, middle and high school teachers for participation in the inaugural STEM Teaching Fellows cohort. Throughout the coming year, the STEM fellows will share their own innovative teaching practices, learn from industry professionals, and partner with local organizations as they bring new STEM resources into their schools. “This program will help connect our teachers to the STEM workforce our students will one day be a part of,” said Rick Smith, superintendent of Hamilton County Department of Education.
STEM Teaching Fellows is the first of many programs to be presented by the new Southeast Tennessee STEM Innovation Hub, which will serve as the regional nucleus for STEM partnerships, resources and training programs. Public Education Foundation serves as the fiscal agent for the STEM Innovation Hub. “As a partner in our region’s STEM Initiative, PEF is excited to provide this unique learning opportunity to such an exceptional group of educators,” said President Dan Challener. “This program will give teachers tools and resources they can use with their students as they provide more hands-on learning experiences in the classroom.”
The partners of the Southeast Tennessee STEM Initiative congratulate the members of the 2012-2013 STEM Teaching Fellows Cohort. These educators will join an innovative community of leaders charged with dramatically improving our children’s knowledge and skills in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Teachers who will participate are:
Amanda Cox, Niota Elementary School
Alan Bivens, Walker Valley High School
Bo Borders, Walker Valley High School
Rebecca Brown, Sequatchie Middle School
Barbara Brown, Marion County High School
Jennifer Casey, East Hamilton High School
Dr. Dean Cress, Signal Mountain High School
Amanda Crisp, Jasper Middle School
Patrick Taylor, Niota Elementary School
Ethan Evans, Orchard Knob Middle School
Margret Foster, Griffith Elementary School
Merry Greer, Griffith Elementary School
Katie Hetrick, Battle Academy
Brent Hobbs, Sequatchie Middle School
Carrie Hoover, Battle Academy
Im Yang, Orchard Knob Middle School
Kari Ivester, Bradley Central High School
Andy Jackson, Red Bank High School
Paige Long, Jasper Middle School
Grant Brown, Niota Elementary School
Heidi Meis, Thrasher Elementary School
Gay Negus, Signal Mountain High School
Racquel Newton, Thrasher Elementary School
Darrell Oakley, Bradley Central High School
Kyle Parks, Tellico Plains High School
Stephen Patton, Tellico Plains High School
Paige Taylor, Niota Elementary School
Michael Stone, East Hamilton High School
Robert West, Marion County High School
Lushan Webb, Red Bank High School