Today we’re talking to a few of the people who participated in one of The Ohio University’s most unique teaching programs: the STEM+ for All Teaching Fellowship. STEM+ is focused on supporting individuals with science, technology, engineering, and math backgrounds — so people who do not already have a background in education — who seek to change their careers to become intervention specialist teachers. Part of the program involves hands-on training with a mentor teacher, and we’re lucky enough to be able to sit down with both two pre-service teachers currently going through the program and the mentor who has guided them throughout the year.
Our pre-service teacher guests are Sorpresa Jones and Bailey Lohr, who are both in their third term in the STEM+ for All teaching fellowship, and our mentor teacher guest is Mary Schneider, a master teacher and PAST’s School Design Coordinator.
If you are in school or have a kid, you are probably painfully aware that 2020 has been a weird year for schooling, to say the least. Some programs across the country just hit pause when everything happened, but fortunately, Sopresa and Bailey were able to use this as a learning opportunity.
We unbox:
Why someone with a music background decides to start teaching STEM
Succeeding in spite of COVID-19
Teaching is like walking a dog
Training intervention specialists
You don’t have to be a teacher to be an educator
Helping reluctant learners engage
Building relationships with learners over the internet, even when you can’t see them
The value of giving teachers diverse experiences
Advice if you’re contemplating getting into teaching, even if you already have a different career or educational background
Resources:
Learn more about STEM+ Teaching for All
Connect with Mary on LinkedIn
Listen: 044 | How to Train Teachers to Let Students Lead | with Erika Reeves & Mary Schneider