PHILADELPHIA, PA –Ethan Ake, a student in the College’s School of Graduate Studies has been selected for a fellowship in the prestigious New Science Teacher Academy by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA).
A resident of Philadelphia and a teacher at Charter High School for Architecture & Design, Ake was one of 244 teachers nationwide and just one of 11 teachers in Pennsylvania to be selected to be a part of the year-long fellowship and development program. Ake will be a part of the 2012-2013 Dow-NSTA Fellows sponsored by Dow Chemical Company.
This year, six prominent U.S.-based organizations dedicated to the improvement and enhancement of quality science education are supporting the NSTA New Science Teacher Academy and its Fellows, including the Dow Chemical Company, the American Honda Foundation, Amgen Foundation, Astellas Pharma US, Inc., the Bayer USA Foundation, and Lockheed Martin.
Teachers were selected on the basis of several criteria, that includes showing evidence of a solid science background and displaying 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 2013 National Conference on Science Education in San Antonio, Texas.
“The Chestnut Hill College Education Department is very proud of Ethan’s selection to the NSTA’s New Science Teacher Academy,” says Carol Pate, chair of the education department. “What is especially noteworthy is that Ethan applied for this professional development opportunity as a new CHC graduate student completing his certification program in secondary education science; it speaks to his dedication to being an excellent science teacher for the students in his urban high school classes. The experience, mentoring and professional development opportunities will truly benefit his students.”
“Being an NSTA New Science Teacher Academy Fellow has given me the opportunity to be a part of that network of teaching professionals, collaborating with individuals across the country and even connecting with science teachers in Philadelphia whom I would have otherwise never met,” says Ake. “In addition to being an Academy Fellow, I will also be finishing my master of education degree at Chestnut Hill College. Both programs have been influential in helping me to not only understand and promote science education, but also inspire students to learn. My goal in the next year is to build upon the existing pedagogical practice I have learned from my colleagues and professors, and explore perspectives on the different ways to teach science through the Academy.”
The 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.
