Darnell-Cookman Science Teacher Selected for Fellowship in New Science Teacher Academy
Jacksonville, FL - Rebecca Jane Austin, science teacher at Darnell-Cookman Middle/High School, was selected for a fellowship in the 2011-12 New Science Teacher Academy. The Academy is part of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the largest professional organization in the world, which promotes excellence and innovation in science teacher.
Ms. Austin will join 214 other science teachers in this program. She was selected from hundreds of applicants nationwide, and will participate in a year-long professional development program designed to promote quality science teaching, enhance teacher confidence, and improve teacher content knowledge. Ms. Austin was chosen as the Amgen-NSTA Fellow.
"Now more than ever, we need to assist educators in developing their skills as teachers so that they can not only bolster student achievement, but feel confident and passionate about the vital work they do in helping to grow the pipeline of future science professionals," said Dr. Francis Eberle, executive director of NSTA. "Each of these Fellows has expressed a strong desire to strengthen their knowledge and expand their professional growth so that they can better foster their students' interest in science. We are extremely proud of this year's group of Fellows and are grateful for their commitment to science education and to their students."
The 2011-2012 Fellows were selected on the basis of several criteria, including evidence of a solid science background and a strong interest in growing as a professional science educator. Each Fellow will receive a comprehensive NSTA membership package, online mentoring with trained mentors who teach in the same discipline, and the opportunity to participate in a variety of web-based professional development activities, including web seminars. In addition, each Fellow will receive financial support to attend and participate in NSTA's 2012 National Conference on Science Education in Indianapolis.
For this academic year, the Amgen Foundation will support 39 science teachers as Amgen-NSTA Fellow. Launched during the spring of 2007, the NSTA New Science Teacher Academy, co-founded by the Amgen Foundation, was established to help reduce the high attrition rate in the science teaching profession by providing professional development and mentoring support to early-career science teachers. Since its inception, the Academy has provided high-quality professional development to more than 600 science teachers nationwide.
For a list of the 2011-2012 Fellows or to learn more about the NSTA New Science Teacher Academy, visit their
website.
About NSTA
The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's current membership includes approximately 60,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.
About the Amgen Foundation
The Amgen Foundation seeks to advance science education; improve patient access to quality care; and strengthen the communities where Amgen staff members live and work. Since 1991, the Foundation has made more than $160 million in grants to nonprofit organizations throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Europe that impact society in inspiring and innovative ways, and those that provide disaster relief efforts both domestically and internationally.
Duval County Public Schools operates 177 schools and serves approximately 125,000 students. The school district is committed to providing high quality educational opportunities that will inspire all students to acquire and use the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a global economy and culturally diverse world.
More DCPS News
