Experts Discuss Strategies to Recruit the Next Generation of Excellent Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Teachers
For Immediate Release
Contact: Danielle Montoya | Teach For America
646.761.2681 | danielle.montoya@teachforamerica.org
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 14, 2011— Teach For America and the Amgen Foundation hosted a discussion today on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, focusing on how to recruit the next generation of excellent STEM teachers.
The panel, held in the Cannon House Office Building, featured Taryn Benarroch, confidential assistant in the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Education and project director for the TEACH initiative at the Department of Education; David Omenn, managing director of recruitment at Teach For America; and Teach For America teachers Birdette Hughey, the 2011 Mississippi Teacher of the Year, and Antonio Luis Perez, a 2010 Amgen Fellow. Andrew J. Rotherham, co-founder and partner of Bellwether Education and School of Thought columnist for TIME.com, moderated the discussion. Rep. Christopher Van Hollen delivered the keynote address.
“We must develop a national STEM pipeline to train our students, from elementary school to college, to fill high-tech jobs and meet the demands of an increasingly competitive global market,” said Rep. Van Hollen. “Talented STEM teachers are a crucial component of that effort. Teach For America has a proven track record of placing knowledgeable STEM teachers in our nation’s classrooms, and I am glad they continue to work with partners to further this progress.”
Teach For America recruits, trains, and supports top college graduates and professionals who commit to teach for two years in under-resourced schools and become lifelong leaders in the pursuit of educational equity. Today, Teach For America is the largest provider of STEM teachers nationwide. In the 2010-11 school year, Teach For America placed 1,600 STEM teachers in low-income rural and urban schools, impacting more than 100,000 students across 31 states and the District.
“My goal as an Algebra I teacher was not only to help my students master the subject but also to make the subject exciting,” said Hughey, who began teaching in the Mississippi Delta in 2009. During the 2009-10 school year, 86 percent of the students at Hughey’s school, Greenwood High School, passed the state’s Algebra I test, up from 51 percent the previous year. "I am so proud of our students, who worked incredibly hard to succeed. I think it’s important for STEM teachers to help our students become prepared for and aspire to pursue careers in STEM fields, and I am honored to take part in this conversation about how to recruit additional STEM teachers to our schools.”
The Amgen Foundation is Teach For America’s founding national math and science partner. Since 2004, the foundation has provided more than $7 million in grants to Teach For America. Under this collaboration, the Amgen Foundation supports 100 new Amgen Fellows selected annually from the top incoming Teach For America teachers with undergraduate degrees in math or science. Each fellow receives a $1,000 signing bonus and is eligible for additional financial support for classroom resources and additional professional development.
“I am so grateful to the Amgen Foundation, which supports STEM teachers like me,” said Perez, who recently completed his first year of teaching in Los Angeles. “Having majored in mechanical engineering and minored in engineering business in college, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to teach ninth-grade math. I think it’s important to invest in STEM education, so that we develop the next generation of individuals who can lead our country in discovery and innovation.”
About Teach For America
Teach For America is the national corps of outstanding recent college graduates who commit to teach for two years in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong leaders in expanding educational opportunity. This fall, more than 9,000 corps members will be teaching in 43 regions across the country, while nearly 24,000 Teach For America alumni continue working from inside and outside the field of education for the fundamental changes necessary to ensure educational excellence and equity. For more information, visit www.teachforamerica.org.
About the Amgen Foundation
The Amgen Foundation seeks to advance science education; improve patient access to quality care; and strengthen the communities where Amgen staff members live and work. Since 1991, the Foundation has made more than $160 million in grants to nonprofit organizations throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and Europe that impact society in inspiring and innovative ways, and those that provide disaster relief efforts both domestically and internationally.
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