Advancing Austin’s STEM Community through Teaching Fellowship
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) jobs are growing at a higher rate than other occupations, with no slowdown in sight. By 2022, the bureau predicts this unprecedented growth will result in nine million jobs across the country.
At a time when educators across Austin are stressing the importance of STEM education for younger generations, the National Science Foundation recently awarded St. Edward’s University $1.2 million to invest in teacher education for these subjects. The grant aims to bridge the nationwide shortage of STEM educators with a local impact in Central Texas. During the next five years, the grant will supplement education funding for 12 St. Edward’s STEM undergraduates who add a teacher education minor and agree to teach grades four through 12.
This summer, Breakthrough will inspire the next generation of educators during our Middle School Summer Academy. During the six-week program, undergraduate AmeriCorps Teaching Fellows will instruct small classes of Breakthrough students. At the end of the academy, St. Edward’s students still interested in STEM will be invited to apply for one of the 12 scholarship spots.
The scholarship includes travel to STEM education conferences, professional coaching from STEM teacher experts, monthly professional development training and $40,000 to cover tuition costs for a two-year period.
Breakthrough Central Texas partners with St. Edward’s to build a local community of invested teachers. This grant will help to invest in the local districts we touch, including Del Valle, and ensure the highest quality of education is being provided to middle and high school students in our area.
With nearly 40 St. Edward’s students and graduates in the Breakthrough Central Texas family, we celebrate this investment and look forward to the advancement of STEM education in our community. This Teaching Fellow initiative is just one of many of our partnership with St. Edward’s University. During the school year, in collaboration with faculty and students from the School of Education, Del Valle middle school students attend Saturday Programming at the University. In addition, this coming year, St. Edward’s University will offer a credit-bearing teacher education course in conjunction with participating as a Summer Teaching Fellow.
