Public Education Foundation’s STEM Teaching Fellows Demonstrate Excellence In Future Focused Education Practices

Thursday, May 9, 2024

PEF’s Innovation Hub, in collaboration with Hamilton County Schools, commemorated the 11th cohort of the STEM Teaching Fellows program on Tuesday at Public Education Foundation’s offices. The event gathered current and past STEM Fellows, Hamilton County School (HCS) administrators, and key figures from the community and business sectors. The event was a unique opportunity to witness firsthand the progress and impact of teachers who are facilitating STEM education to foster future-ready students.

“Teachers determine a community’s future. Fortunately for our community, last July, 35 of our very best teachers committed themselves to a year of learning as a PEF STEM Fellow,” said Dr. Dan Challener, president of Public Education Foundation. “Throughout the school year, these teachers deepened their STEM knowledge, built partnerships with local businesses, developed compelling hands-on classroom projects with fellow teachers, and took on leadership roles within their schools. Thanks to the commitment of these outstanding educators, thousands of our students have a bright future.”

The STEM Teaching Fellows program, an initiative of the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network and the PEF Innovation Hub, is designed to elevate educators by providing intensive professional development in STEM best practices and workforce development. Throughout the year, Fellows engage in problem-based and inquiry-based learning, cross-curricular integration, and technology integration, all aimed at enhancing the educational experience for students across Southeast Tennessee.

Attendees enjoyed a selection of hors d'oeuvres while they walked through a gallery of unique presentations and engaged with the Fellows on their projects. The Fellows’ poster sessions demonstrated their dedication to innovation and teaching, with highlights including local business partners ranging from advanced manufacturing to start-ups, to healthcare.

“The STEM programs across Hamilton Schools are known throughout the region for their rigor and excellence,” said HCS Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson. “The professional development program provided for our educators by the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network and the PEF Innovation Hub is a big part of our STEM success. The STEM Teaching Fellows program helps us ensure our educators are equipped with the latest information and best practices to help our students achieve their goals and dreams.”

The celebration marked over a decade of successes in developing teacher leaders who raise the bar of educational excellence for their students.

The Hamilton County Schools teachers in the 11th Cohort of PEF’s STEM Teaching Fellows are as follows:

• Brandi Adam, Chattanooga School for the Arts & Sciences Lower

• Allison Amato, Red Bank Elementary

• Anna Shay Armistead, East Lake Elementary School

• Miranda Avdyukov, Taylor Elementary

• Ariana Barto, Battle Academy

• Jason Bevil, Apison Elementary

• Tamela Cooley, Brown Academy

• Alyssa Dooley, Rivermont Elementary

• Keely Dunavin, Thrasher Elementary School

• James Dunning, Red Bank Middle School