Meet the Fletcher Sisters

FLETCHER TINA L. AGE 33 Education Policy PhD Student

Major/School: BA, Political Science, The University of Arkansas EdM, Teacher Education, Harvard University Years in EAST: Two

Contact info: tina.fletcher8@gmail.com

Q: First memory of EAST? A: As a Morrilton High School student, I recall attempting to learn about computer design via a CAD program the school installed on our computers. Though I was often extremely confused, I found it fascinating that I could complete work in high school that was not related to my traditional core courses (i.e. English, Math, Science, and Social Studies). It was also great to learn something considered new and innovative.

Q: Why did you decide to participate in EAST? A: Essentially, I wanted to learn something new and different. Academic achievement was always a priority for us — me and my twin sister, Trina—but I wanted to know what else I could achieve at school. The general conversation around the school was that there was a new and exciting elective being offered and everyone—including me—wanted to take it. Selecting EAST as an elective turned out to be one of the best decisions for us!

Q: Memorable project in EAST you’d like to share? A: Little moments of self-discovery is what made EAST projects memorable! I recall being the co-lead on a small project with an extremely intelligent classmate, Kelli. She was a year older than me, but we connected and shared a great developmental experience throughout the project. I was learning how to use CAD—Computer-Aided Design— and Kelli was pretty much a genius with the program! She taught me so much. Needless to say, we earned a great grade on the project!

Q: Anything you learned in EAST that you still apply today? A: EAST was one of the first academic experiences I had in which I completed a long-term project with a classmate; this really activated what is now know as soft skills. It taught me how to work well with others and understand that I may not always have the right answer. More importantly, EAST taught me to listen to other students ideas and understand that everyone’s thought process or path to a solution is different, and that is where true education begins.

Q: How do you serve or give back today? A: I use a lot of my research to give back! Training educators on equity in the classroom is a joy! I also like to volunteer by reading to younger children or donating to non-profit organizations and initiatives that I believe are working to better communities, children, and families in need.

Q: What would you like to see happen with EAST in the future? A: I would like to see EAST be accessible to students in low-income communities throughout the state of Arkansas, especially in the Delta. A few years ago, I had the honor of working with EAST leaders to bring a class to a school in the Delta, and it was simply amazing watching the students grow into leaders because of their access to the EAST curriculum and conference. Very exciting!

Q: If you could partner with an EAST program to complete a project what would it be? A: If I could work with EAST on a project, it would be the creation of a GIS map to track teacher recruitment and retention within the state of Arkansas. As an education policy doctoral student, I am interested in how school districts recruit, train, and retain teachers and EAST is positioned well to help collect and catalog that data.

RANDOM FACT ABOUT YOU: I once dreamed of becoming a marriage counselor.

Q: What advice would you give to EAST students that are graduating soon? A: Take advantage of every single lesson and piece of knowledge you gain in high school. Even if you think you’ll never use it, 9 times out of 10, you will. And you will be glad you listened. Promise.

Q: Quote you live by? A: “Be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. Talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet. Make all your friends feel there is something special in them. Look at the sunny side of everything. Think only the best, be as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.”

FLETCHER TRINA AGE 33 Assistant Professor of Engineering Education at Florida International University

Major/School: B.S. Industrial Technology, M.S. Engineering Management, PhD Engineering Education Years in EAST: Two

Contact info: trinafletcher@gmail.com

Q: Memorable project in EAST you’d like to share? A: I can’t name just one project that stuck out to me, but I will say that EAST activated my critical thinking in a way that other classes did not. Critical thinking and the ability to ingest and analyze information has been a crucial part of my success in the academic and professional setting!

Q: What technology did you use in EAST then, and how has it changed today? A: CAD for sure! Clearly, everything has changed since 2002! Programs are more sophisticated and technology has advanced in ways that allow students to learn more and produce work at a much faster rate. I do absolutely nothing with animation, graphics, or drawing, but learning that software helped me understand that I can learn new things from my peers and that with hard work and support, unfamiliar territory is the best place for growth! And that is really the beauty of EAST!

Q: Anything you learned in EAST that you still apply today? A: EAST exposed me to the idea of creating solutions for community-based and state-wide challenges through school-based programming. With education models like EAST and other informal learning avenues such as afterschool or summer intensive programs, education can solve national and global problems. Studies show that K-12 students spend over 81.5% of their waking hours outside of formal

education settings. We need to take advantage of programs like EAST on a larger scale, especially within our home state of Arkansas. What I apply today that I used within EAST is thinking outside the box. I was able to take those skills and use them not only within my other courses but at home and within my community.

Q: How do you serve or give back today? A: Today I have dedicated my career and life to improving K-12 education for underrepresented and minority students in STEM through research and handson programming, especially mentoring. I also focus my research and time on advancing STEM education at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions (MSIs), as many of them have been found to do the best job when it comes to successfully preparing and graduating underrepresented minorities with STEM degrees.

Q: What would you like to see happen with EAST in the future? A: I would like to see EAST become a staple program for the state of Arkansas. This vision includes local and state municipalities with high levels of decision-making power supporting the model. We have several challenges when it comes to the education system and alleviating poverty, and EAST has the model to help solve some of these challenges in ways that the state has not been able to.

RANDOM FACT ABOUT YOU: I like to write fiction-based short stories that I hope to turn into short films one day.

Q: What advice would you give to EAST students that are graduating soon? A: Be very mindful of how you spend your time. Today’s young people grew up entirely on the internet and engulfed by social media, which can be amazing tools but also tools of destruction. Remember to take time out to read an actual book, connect with friends, family, and loved ones, and don’t be afraid to ask for help in times of need. Stay connected to the real world and make the best of your time here on earth.

Q: Quote you live by? A: First one: “The future belongs to those who prepare for it today” ~ Malcolm X 2nd one: “Knowledge is Power” ~ British philosopher Francis Bacon

Q: If you could partner with an EAST program to complete a project what would it be? A: I would create the most extensive state-based literacy program. It would include the most efficient technology (apps, websites, etc.) connected to it so that students, teachers, and adults can share best practices, successes, and more. Even though I focus on STEM education, literacy is one of the most important and influential areas of knowledge development impacting our students and state. We need to start there! Kudos to all the organizations and programs which have invested in literacy initiatives through Arkansas.