Teacher Is Selected As NSTA Science Fellow

The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) New Science Teacher Academy, a yearlong program focused on encouraging and supporting early-career science educators, announced the selection of 35 middle and secondary science teachers from across the country as fellows in this year’s academy.

ScottiAnn Cummings, biology and chemistry teacher at Jasper County High School, is one of the recipients of acceptance into this honored program. After completing a competitive application process, Ms. Cummings received announcement of her award in early September.

The fellows—science teachers from Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, Texas, and Washington, D.C.—will participate in a host of science-related activities and professional learning opportunities.

“We take tremendous pride in this year’s cohort of Fellows,” said Dr. David Evans, NSTA Executive Director. “They are motivated, they are passionate about science, and they are deeply committed to developing their skills as teachers so that they can, not only bolster student achievement, but also better inspire passion for science in their students.”

She and her co-fellows will receive a trip to the NSTA 2016 National Conference on Science Education in Los Angeles in March 2017.

This year, Lockheed Martin and the Bayer USA Foundation are supporting the 35 new science teachers selected as fellows in the program. Lockheed Martin is funding the participation of 30 science teachers as Lockheed Martin-NSTA Fellows, while the Bayer USA Foundation is sponsoring Bayer-NSTA Fellowships for five New Jersey-based science teachers.

The fellows were selected on the basis of criteria, including showing evidence of a solid science background and displaying a strong interest in growing as a professional science educator. During their fellowship, recipients will receive:

•A discipline-specific mentor;

•Access to a facilitated web-based curriculum devoted to content and classroom pedagogy;

•An opportunity to participate in a variety of web-based professional learning activities, including a specially designated online learning community;

•Financial support to attend the NSTA 2016 National Conference on Science Education; and

•A comprehensive NSTA membership package.

To learn more about the NSTA, visit www.nsta.org/academy.