Jacksonville, FL – Charlotte Atkinson, a science teacher at Samuel W. Wolfson High School, and Mary Maddox, a science teacher at Terry Parker High School, are among nine science teachers throughout the state who will become Fellows in a year-long professional development program created specifically for science teachers.

 A total of 244 teachers will take part in the program that is supported by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). The program is designed to help promote quality science teaching, enhance teacher confidence and classroom excellence, and improve teacher content knowledge. Some of the Fellows started the program in October while the others started in November.

The 2012-13 Fellows were selected on the basis of several criteria including 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.

This year, the Dow Chemical Company, the primary sponsor of the program, will fund the participation of 195 science teachers as Dow-NSTA Fellows. The American Honda Foundation will support three science teachers as Honda-NSTA Fellows and the Amgen Foundation will support 11 science teachers as Amgen-NSTA Fellows. Astellas Pharma US, Inc. will support 14 science teachers primarily from the Chicago area as Astellas-NSTA Fellows, and the Bayer USA Foundation will sponsor six science teachers as Bayer-NSTA Fellows. The remaining 15 science teachers will be supported by Lockheed Martin and named Lockheed Martin-NSTA Fellows.

“I am grateful that corporations understand the need for educators to continue expanding their knowledge of the science and technology fields,” said Dr. Nikolai P. Vitti, Superintendent of Duval Schools. “We want our teachers to be exposed to the latest findings and the finest leaders. These unique opportunities create wins for teachers and students alike.”

NSTA is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all, in collaboration with The Dow Chemical Company; the Amgen Foundation; Astellas Pharma US, Inc.; the American Honda Foundation; the Bayer USA Foundation; and Lockheed Martin, New Science Teacher Academy.

“We are thrilled to provide these teachers with the resources and support needed to help them feel confident and passionate about the critical work they do in inspiring today’s youth to become tomorrow’s leading STEM professionals,” said Gerry Wheeler, Interim Executive Director, NSTA.

The NSTA is based in Arlington, Virginia and is the largest professional organization in the world that promotes 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.

Contact: Jill Johnson, 904.390.2126