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 S t e m C e l l F o u n d a t i o n a n d W e s t e r n K e n t u c k y 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

School board seeks advisory committee members

T h e S c h o o l B o a r d f L County is searching fo b e r s t o j o i n i t s C i t i A d v i s o r y C o m m i t t e The committees meet o a regular basis to pro vide input, support and advice to the board

There are five comm i t t e e s o n w h i c h members of the public may serve:

∫ C o n s t r u c t i A d v i s o r y C o m m (CAC)

∫ C o n t i n u o u s I m p r o v e m e n t ( C S I ) A d v i s o r y Committee

∫ Curriculum Advisory Committee (CUAC)

∫ E q u i t y a n d D i v e r s i t y A d v i s o r y Committee (EDAC)

∫ Finance Advisory Committee (FAC)

Anyone interested in serving on one of the committees can fill out an online a p p l i c a t i o n a t https://www leeschools net/school board/ advisory committee information

S h l b o a r d m e m b e r s w i l l a n d a p p r o v e n e w bers at a future meetCommittee members erve for two years and may be appointed to serve additional terms on the same committee

In appointing members, the school board hall make every effort reflect the diversity of community population ver possible In addill seek to appoint citizens with knowledge and skills that are beneficial to specific committees

All advisory committee meetings are open to the public and will be videotaped and uploaded to the district's YouTube channel Each committee shall be subject to the Sunshine Law

Applications will be taken continually to be considered for appointments made when vacancies occur throughout the appointment year(s) on each of the committees