Notre Dame middle division science teacher Katherine Thomas
Selected from more than a thousand applications nationwide, Thomas and 199 other Fellows will participate in a host of science-related activities and professional learning opportunities designed to help promote quality science teaching, enhance teacher confidence and classroom excellence and improve teacher content knowledge.
NSTA collaborated with The Dow Chemical Company, Lockheed Martin, the American Honda Foundation and the Bayer USA Foundation on this program.
“The National Science Teachers Association congratulates the science teachers who will join the Academy this year,” said Dr. David Evans, executive director, NSTA. “The Academy Fellows are making a long-term commitment to give their very best to their students – and to society, as they inspire the scientists and citizens of tomorrow.”
The Fellows were selected on the basis of several criteria, including showing evidence of a solid science background and displaying a strong interest in growing as a professional science educator. Each Fellow will receive a comprehensive NSTA membership package, online mentoring with trained mentors who teach in the same discipline, and the opportunity to participate in a variety of web-based professional development activities, including web seminars. In addition, each Fellow will receive financial support to attend and participate in NSTA’s 2014 National Conference on Science Education in Boston.
“New science teachers need and deserve our support as they go about the important work of bringing science to life in our schools,” said Dow’s Rob Vallentine, global director, STEM Education. “Dow believes teachers are the multiplier effect on our young people, serving as an important conduit between the love of science and the connection to a STEM career. We are excited to support the NSTA New Science Teacher Academy and proud to be associated with this impressive group of educators.”
Launched during the spring of 2007, the NSTA New Science Teacher Academy, co-founded with a grant from the Amgen Foundation, was designed to help promote quality science teaching, enhance teacher confidence and classroom excellence, and improve teacher content knowledge. Since its inception the Academy has provided high-quality professional learning opportunities to nearly 1000 science teachers nationwide.