Published On: October 21st, 2016By Leticia Fehling

MacArthur High School Teacher Named a Lockheed Martin-NSTA Fellow in New Science Teacher Academy

The 35 nationally selected Fellows are taking part in unique professional development opportunity.

[dropcap color=”#888″ type=”square”]T[/dropcap]he STEM industry needs highly-qualified workers to meet current and future needs. To that end, the industry is looking for ways to engage and inspire students to pursue STEM careers.

Companies like Lockheed Martin and Bayer are finding ways to support schools. They realize that professional development (PD) is key. It ensures teachers keep pace with developing STEM curriculum. Not only does PD increase teacher capability. It also leads to an increase in student achievement and interest in STEM.

[icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Lockheed Martin and the [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Bayer USA Foundation have teamed up. They are working with the [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]National Science Teachers Association. The two entities are supporting 35 educators to attend [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]NSTA’s New Science Teacher Academy.

The Academy is a yearlong program focused on encouraging and supporting early-career science educators. The 35 middle and high school teachers comprise the first class of Academy Fellows. The Fellows — all science teachers — are from all across the country. They will take part in a host of science-related activities and professional learning opportunities.

Dr. David Evans is proud of this year’s cohort of Fellows. Evans is executive director of NSTA.

“The teachers are deeply motivated,” said Evans. “They are passionate about science. And they are deeply committed to developing their skills as teachers.

Justin Hooten

The Fellows seek to bolster student achievement. They also want to successfully build students‘ passion and confidence in science.”

This year, Lockheed Martin and the Bayer USA Foundation are supporting Academy Fellows. Lockheed Martin is funding the participation of 30 science teachers as Lockheed Martin-NSTA Fellows. It is worth mentioning that 10 of the 30 educators are from Texas. One of the educators is Justin Hooten from MacArthur High School in Aldine ISD. Hooten teaches Advanced Placement (AP) biology teacher.

The Bayer USA Foundation is sponsoring Bayer-NSTA Fellowships for five New Jersey-based science teachers.

Brad Fisher is lauds the program and the educators. Fisher is director of community relations at Lockheed Martin.

“We believe that a strong professional development program is not only important,” said Fisher. “It is vital to the success of new STEM teachers.” “We are proud to support NSTA’s New Science Teacher Academy. And we applaud the Fellows’ commitment to educate and inspire future scientists and engineers.”

Sarah Toulouse stated Bayer has for more than 20 years supported quality science education. Making Science Make Sense® is Bayer’s award-winning initiative. It advances science literacy through hands-on, inquiry-based science education. Toulouse is head of corporate social responsibility at Bayer Corporation. She is also executive director at Bayer USA Foundation.

“By supporting teachers, we are are preparing today‘s students for tomorrow‘s world,” said Toulouse. “They will be better prepared to take part in the innovation economy. This is why we value the National Science Teachers Association. And its why we support NSTA‘s New Science Teacher Academy.”

The Fellows were selected on the basis of criteria. This included evidence of a solid science background. They also had to to display a strong interest in growing as a professional science educator.

During their fellowship, recipients will receive:

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]A discipline-specific mentor.[/li] [li]Access to a facilitated Web-based curriculum devoted to content and classroom pedagogy.[/li][/ul][ul class=”list list-search”] [li]An opportunity to take part in a variety of Web-based professional learning activities. This includes a specially designated online learning community.[/li] [li]Financial support to attend the NSTA 2016 Conference in Los Angeles. [/li][/ul][ul class=”list list-search”] [li]A comprehensive NSTA membership package.[/li][/ul]

Xandra Williams-Earlie couldn’t be happier for Hooten. Williams-Earlie is program director of secondary science at Aldine ISD.

“NSTA‘s New Teacher Academy recognizes and develops talented educators,” said Williams-Earlie. “The Academy is ‘building better teachers‘ with targeted professional development. This benefits not only the educator, but also students. Teachers like Justin Hooten will expand opportunities for promising students of STEM.”

The NSTA New Science Teacher Academy launched in the spring of 2007. It promotes quality science teaching as well as enhances teacher confidence and classroom excellence. The Academy also improves teacher content knowledge.

The Academy has provided professional learning opportunities to more than 1,300 science teachers.

According to an informal survey conducted in 2014 of past Fellows found the Academy worthwhile. The study showed 95 percent are still in the teaching profession. Further, 87 percent of respondents cited their experience in the Academy as vital. They cited it as a main reason for them remaining in the teaching profession.