Sanibel teacher selected as 2023 National STEM Scholar
The Sanibel School science teacher Michele Mitnitsky is among 10 educators from eight states who have been selected to participate in the National STEM Scholar Program.
It is a professional development program that provides advanced STEM — science, technology, engineering, and math — training, national network building and project support for middle-school science teachers nationwide.
Created in partnership between the National Stem Cell Foundation and Western Kentucky University’s The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science, the program selects 10 teachers each year from a national pool of applicants based solely on the description of a “big idea” Challenge Project that the applicant would implement in their classroom if funds were available. Selected projects are chosen for maximum impact in middle school classrooms, where research shows lifelong STEM career decisions are being made.
STEM Scholars convene on WKU’s campus for a week of advanced STEM training and finalize their projects with input from their STEM Scholar class colleagues. The 2023 class will be hosted by The Gatton Academy from now through June 2. The other STEM Scholars include:
– Laura Cummings of Sunset Beach Elementary School in Haleiwa, Hawaii
– James “JJ” Frye of Grayson County Middle School in Leitchfield, Kentucky
– Emily Harer of Global Arts Plus — Upper Campus in St. Paul, Minnesota
– Erin Hullinger of Bonny Eagle Middle School in Buxton, Maine
– Patricia “Pati” Huntington of Farb Middle School in San Diego, California
– Jennifer “Jenny” McCall of Winburn Middle School in Lexington, Kentucky
– Teresa Robertson of Munfordville Elementary School in Munfordville, Kentucky
– Sarah StCyr of W.W. Lewis Middle School in Sulphur, Louisiana
– Kandice Taylor of Brinkley Middle School in Jackson, Mississippi
In its eighth year, there are 80 National STEM Scholars representing middle schools in 33 states. Ninety-one percent teach in public schools, 41% teach in mid- to high-poverty schools and 38% teach in communities with a population under 15,000. A requirement of the program is the responsibility for STEM Scholars to share lessons learned with colleagues in their home schools, districts or states, magnifying impact over multiple classrooms and years. By June, National STEM Scholars will have directly and indirectly impacted more than 104,000 middle school students in the United States.