NSTA and NCTM Select 2017 STEM Teacher Ambassadors
ARLINGTON, Va. -- The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) announced the selection of 10 math and science teacher leaders from across the country to serve as 2017 STEM Teacher Ambassadors. Through the program, the teacher leaders will develop the necessary skills to effectively communicate the realities of their classroom to stakeholders.
“Many of the policies and practices that shape K–12 STEM education today have resulted with little or no input from classroom teachers,” said Dr. David Evans, NSTA Executive Director. “Throughout the year, the STEM Teacher Ambassadors will be taking on additional responsibilities and leadership positions which will create new roles and a greater voice for teachers and for STEM education.”
The ambassadors—all recipients of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST)—participated in an intensive communications, media, and policy training created by NSTA and NCTM designed to expand the classroom teacher voice at the local, state, and national levels.
During the weeklong training the ambassadors met with inside-the-beltway leaders to discuss major issues including key federal STEM programs, professional learning and growth, equity, standards, and assessments. They received rigorous media training and learned how to conduct media interviews and write op-eds; communicate more effectively and deliver key messages to the public; communicate new research results in STEM education; engage with local and state officials; and use social media to amplify messaging.
In addition to the training, NSTA and NCTM will provide ongoing organizational and professional support via the NSTA Learning Center. Through the NSTA Learning Center, the ambassadors will share work, track speaking engagements, and access important materials, including NSTA and NCTM white papers, policy information, news clips, articles, and research studies of importance.
“We’re very pleased with this year’s STEM Teacher Ambassadors,” said Ken Krehbiel, Executive Director of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. “They are motivated, they are passionate about STEM education, and they are deeply committed to developing their skills as teacher leaders.”
This year’s cohort of teacher leaders were chosen from a pool of more than 130 PAEMST winners. The ambassadors were selected on the basis of several criteria, including showing evidence of teacher leadership; a solid background in science, math, and STEM education; and displaying a strong interest in growing as a professional STEM educator.
More information about the program and a complete list of the 2017 STEM Teacher Ambassadors can be found at www.nsta.org.
This program is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1554059. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.