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U.S. News STEM Solutions Conference Keynote Features EnCorps STEM Teachers

U.S. News STEM Solutions Conference Keynote Features EnCorps STEM Teachers

Published 06-06-17

Submitted by EnCorps Inc.

EnCorps STEM Teachers Program’s Executive Director, Katherine Wilcox, was a featured speaker during the 2017 U.S. News STEM Solutions National Leadership conference opening keynote presentations last week in San Diego. Wilcox provided an overview of EnCorps’ innovative approach to empowering Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) professionals to transform public education through teaching and tutoring in high need communities. Here’s a link to watch the U.S. News STEM Solutions keynote presentations: http://bit.ly/2rTGngb.

The September 2016 Learning Policy Institute study concluded that the U.S. is experiencing the worst teacher shortage since 1990. The California State Universities report that California alone needs 33,000 math and science teachers over the next 10 years. Schools with a high percentage of minority students have three times the number of shortages, while high poverty schools experience twice as many shortages as the higher socioeconomic schools.To address the STEM teacher crisis, EnCorps has been working earnestly since 2007 to recruit the best and brightest STEM professionals to teaching in California, providing meaningful opportunities to impact disadvantaged students. Wilcox explained the driving force behind EnCorps’ work: “We believe all students deserve access to a great STEM teacher, a great STEM education and all the opportunities that those can provide for them. We’re here to address the conditions limiting high poverty, under-resourced and minority student opportunities.”

EnCorps is rooted in the belief that experts in the field can best answer questions of relevancy around math and science. All students, and particularly those who are under-resourced, need role models possessing real STEM industry experience to connect classroom content to career and economic opportunities. During the conference, Katherine Wilcox was also a panelist in a session regarding “Recruiting and Retaining Top-Notch STEM Teachers in K-12.” Wilcox is an esteemed leader in the field of STEM public school education.

In 2016, EnCorps was presented the US2020 STEM Mentoring Award for Excellence in Volunteering at the White House. This year, EnCorps was named a Winner of the Annenberg Challenge for Innovation in Technology. EnCorps Fellows go on to become award-winning teachers: LaTeira Haynes (former immunologist) won LAUSD’s Rookie of the Year Award, Genevive Bjorn (former biomedical scientist) won the Maitland P. Simmons Award for New Teachers from the National Science Teachers Association, and Bob Capriles (former software engineer) won the Texas Instruments STEM Teaching Award. Recent awards and acknowledgement validate EnCorps’ enduring commitment to becoming the standard for next generation education.

Over 700 STEM professionals have joined EnCorps and over 350 career-changing or retiring STEM professionals have completed their pre-service (guest teaching and tutoring) work as EnCorps Fellows. Over 165 have become full-time teachers and numerous Fellows serve as volunteer tutors or are pursuing their teaching credential. In the 2016-2017 academic year, EnCorps recruited 118 Fellows, including 63 STEM women. By June 30, 2017, EnCorps will recruit its largest cohort in its history: over 170 Fellows. Cohort 2017 EnCorps Fellows will become science, technology, engineering and mathematics teachers and expert tutors in high need California communities. EnCorps Fellows, teachers and tutors serve in schools where the majority of students are eligible for free or reduced-priced meals and over 75% of students served are minorities.

About EnCorps STEM Teachers Program

EnCorps STEM Teachers Program is the only nonprofit recruiting the best and brightest Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) professionals as an innovative, long-term solution to the shortage of high quality, impactful educators for under-resourced students in high need communities. On average, EnCorps STEM Teachers have 17 years of professional STEM experience and 82% have a Masters or PhD in a STEM subject. EnCorps aims to increase the quantity and quality of STEM teachers to ensure that all students have access to first-rate STEM learning, to reverse the nation’s decades-long decline in math and science, and to develop a workforce pipeline based on 21st century skills. One decade into its mission, EnCorps impacts more than 35,000 California students and boasts a teacher retention rate of nearly 90%, well above industry standard. 

Please join EnCorps in solving the STEM teacher crisis and providing students with the STEM literacy necessary to take part in the U.S. economy and solve the biggest problems of the 21st century. Contact Grace McGlade at grace.mcglade@encorps.org to contribute to EnCorps.

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EnCorps Inc.

EnCorps Inc.

The EnCorps STEM Teachers Program recruits, selects, develops and supports the best and brightest STEM professionals and military veterans, as an innovative, long-term solution to the shortage of high quality, impactful educators for under-resourced students in high need communities. Enduring STEM achievement, access, and literacy gaps disproportionately limit low income, under-resourced, and minority student opportunities. STEM professionals, when thoroughly prepared, are uniquely positioned to meaningfully utilize their talent and real-world expertise as EnCorps STEM Teachers.

EnCorps operates in California in the urban cities and counties of the Greater Bay Area, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego. More information, including funders and school partners, can be found at http://encorps.org

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