Program Develops Teacher Leaders in STEM Disciplines

An innovative program at Illinois State University is helping twenty-seven Illinois middle and high school teachers become leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.  The first cohort of teachers in the STEM Education and Leadership Program will earn Master of Science degrees in Technology in 2010.

The STEM Education and Leadership Program, one of two such programs in the country, focuses on enhancing STEM discipline teacher content knowledge, teaching practices, student achievement and professional development for middle and high school teachers.  The 33-hour master's degree program integrates content courses with research projects and field-based education experiences. 

Chris Merrill, associate professor of technology at Illinois State, serves as technology education program coordinator and director of the STEM Education and Leadership Program, along with co-directors Ryan Brown, assistant professor of technology and William Hunter, associate professor of chemistry.  The program is supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Education and the Illinois State Board of Education through the Mathematics and Science Partnerships.

The following teachers comprise the first cohort of the STEM Education and Leadership Program:  Eric Andracke, Mahomet Seymour High School, Mahomet; Randall W. Baker, Meredosia-Chambersburg Community Schools, Meredosia; Donna Basak, Burlington School District 301, Burlington; Pamela Beaver, Manual High School, Peoria; Mark Benischek, Willowbrook High School, Villa Park; Rebecca DiOrio, Naperville North High School, Naperville; Kevin Farrell, Naperville North High School, Naperville; Carl Hendricksen, Calvin Coolidge Middle School, Peoria; Dan Jurzec, Carl Sandburg High School, Orland Park; Chris Komer, Carl Sandburg High School, Orland Park; Julie Lavey, Alex M. Martino Junior High School, New Lenox; Michael Lavey, Victor J. Andrew High School, Tinley Park; Mark Lobes, Victor J. Andrew High School, Tinley Park; William Merchantz, Lincoln-Way East High School, Frankfort; Brian Misius, Still Middle School, Aurora; Jolyon Morton, Woodruff High School, Peoria; John Nanney, Carl Sandburg High School, Orland Park; Koralia Norton, Richwoods High School, Peoria; Robert Penman, Thornton Township High School, Harvey; Lloyd Pierce, Lockport High School, Lockport; Susan Schuber, Trewyn Middle School, Peoria; Michael Sinde, Thornton Township High School, Harvey; Steve Taylor, Barrington Middle School Prairie Campus, Barrington; Brett Trimpe, Canton High School, Canton; Jeff Tuggle, Woodruff High School, Peoria; William Vasich, Carl Sandburg High School, Orland Park; Adam Weis, Victor J. Andrew High School, Tinley Park; Kurt Wolter, Rochelle Township High School, Rochelle; and Brian Wright, Thornton Township High School, Harvey.