Participation in National STEM School Leadership Panel a 'major honor'
Tech Valley High School will be one of seven schools nationwide contributing expertise to a newly formed panel exploring school leadership in "STEM" — science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Principal Dan Liebert informed Tech Valley High's operating board Dec. 1 of the prestigious invitation to participate in the National STEM School Leadership Network.
STEM is a key focus among education reformers across the country as educators look to boost student performance. The national Leadership Network seeks to promote growth and understanding in the teaching of STEM, as well as help schools better integrate the STEM curriculum, Liebert said.
Specifically, the Network will help schools:
Strengthen
knowledge and understanding of issues related to the distinct role
of STEM school leadership.
Engage
leaders in networking sessions to access national resources and
research-based practices that are currently being utilized
nationally.
Provide
an opportunity for school leaders to participate in high quality
professional development within a STEM learning community.
Ultimately,
the network will enable the rapid transmission of innovation
throughout the country.
Materials from the Leadership Network state that "prominent organizations across the country are taking action to respond to the changing demands of the 21st century and are hailing STEM as an imperative for all students."
The panel meets monthly by phone, and plans to convene in person this coming March in Chicago.
Capital Region BOCES Assistant District Superintendent for Instruction Kathryn Gerbino said the national STEM initiative follows the statewide initiative that Tech Valley High has greatly influenced.
"It's a natural outgrowth," Gerbino said of Tech Valley High's participation on the national panel.
Liebert said being one of just seven schools in the country asked to serve on the panel is a "major honor."
