Two South Carolina educators chosen as 2008 New Science Teacher Academy Fellows
September 27, 2008
COLUMBIA, SC – September 25, 2008 – Two South Carolina teachers will take part as Fellows in the National Science Teachers Association’s 2008 New Science Teacher Academy. They are among 185 middle and secondary science teachers nationwide chosen for the year-long professional development program.
John Hurley, who teaches at Carver Junior High in Spartanburg District Seven, and Beverly Frommel, a teacher at Clover High School in York District Two, were selected from hundreds of applicants from across the country.
The National Science Teachers Association is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning. Its Teacher Academy is designed to help reduce the high attrition rate among science instructors who are new to the classroom.
Representing 49 states, the District of Columbia and a Department of Defense Education Activity school, the 2008 Fellows were chosen on the basis of several criteria, including their strong interest in growing as a professional science educator.
These new Fellows are making a long-term commitment to give their very best to their students – and to society – as they inspire the scientists of tomorrow, said Jean Lim, president of the Amgen Foundation that helped co-found the Academy.
Hurley and Frommel receive new membership packages, online mentoring with trained educators who teach in the same discipline, and the opportunity to participate in a variety of web-based professional training activities, including web seminars. In addition, they receive financial support to attend and participate in the 2009 National Conference on Science Education in New Orleans.
In addition to Amgen Foundation’s support, the New Science Teacher Academy is funded by Agilent Technologies Foundation; Astellas Pharma US, Inc.; and Bayer Corporation. The Academy was created to promote quality instruction, support teacher confidence and classroom excellence and improve content knowledge through training and mentoring for early-career science teachers.
