Pictured Above: Dave Morton, Executive VP & CFO of Seagate Technology, presents the 2017 STEM Innovation Award to EnCorps Executive Director, Katherine Wilcox

The EnCorps STEM Teachers Program was honored at Silicon Valley Education Foundation’s (SVEF) 13th annual Pioneers & Purpose Celebration for Education on Wednesday, November 8 at the Fairmont San Jose. During the celebration, EnCorps’ Executive Director, Katherine Wilcox, and San Francisco Bay Area Program and Recruitment Director, David Taus, were presented with SVEF’s 2017 STEM Innovation Award. The other award recipient was Women’s Audio Mission.

The STEM Innovation Awards are awarded in recognition of pioneering organizations and programs in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education that set new benchmarks for innovation. A $5,000 prize is awarded to winners. EnCorps was recognized for recruiting and supporting highly qualified STEM teachers in high needs Silicon Valley schools.

“These recipients represent organizations that offer exciting, forward-thinking work in STEM education that inspire students to explore STEM fields as future career choices,” said SVEF Interim CEO Manny Barbara. “Their work directly addresses the critical need to mitigate our dire STEM workforce shortage.”

The STEM Innovation Award winners were selected by a group of thought leaders who have demonstrated outstanding work in the STEM community. The 2017 selection committee included Tom Baker, SVEF Board Member and Chairman of the Selection Committee; Gabriel Alcantar from Langan Engineering; Karl Glaub from Google; Eric Heitmann from CBRE; Kira Walter from Google, and Winnie Yu from Flex.

About EnCorps STEM Teachers Program

EnCorps places experienced science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) professionals as teachers in high needs, low-income public schools, ensuring equal access to quality STEM education and inspiring children to pursue STEM careers. EnCorps serves middle and high school students in Los Angeles, Orange County, Sacramento, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area, with demand to scale nationally. To learn more about EnCorps and how you can support the program, please contact Director of Development, Grace McGlade at grace.mcglade@encorps.org.

About Silicon Valley Education Foundation

Silicon Valley Education Foundation (SVEF) was founded on the belief that a new kind of organization is needed – one with a different philosophy and approach to the challenges in legacy systems. A nonprofit resource and advocate for students and educators, SVEF is dedicated to putting all students on track for college and careers, focusing on the critical areas of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). SVEF helps through Advocacy – working with school districts to promote best practices and policies; Programs – offering direct programs and support to educators and students; and, Innovation – placing cutting edge EdTech and resources into live classrooms.

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

More from EnCorps Inc.