Haine Elementary teacher recognized at Seneca Valley’s Sept. 14 meeting
JACKSON TWP — Jeremiah Friday, a Haine Elementary School teacher, was among the 27 educators selected as a Pennsylvania STEM Pioneer.
He was recognized by Seneca Valley School District’s school board at the Monday, Sept. 14, meeting.
Through the program, he is a participant in the STEM Pioneers Teacher Corps, a four-year professional learning program along with 26 other educators. The program focuses on improving STEM education for K-5 students.
Friday participated in the STEM Pioneers Summer Institute this year. The weeklong professional learning experience focused on energy and engineering.
Educators researched energy sources and locations of energy production throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and West Virginia.
Board member Mike Jacobs said Friday’s participation in the program reflects his commitment to his role as an educator.
“I think what we do in the classroom is certainly important and critical,” said Jacobs. “What we do outside the classroom to teach is really important as well.”
“There’s not a staff member in this district that does not know you and does not know what you’re about,” said Tracy Vitale, district superintendent, to Friday, who was in attendance.
Friday said at the meeting that his experience at the Summer Institute has sparked ideas about improving collaboration and connectivity between the various STEM areas, as well as about expanding opportunities to Seneca Valley students.
“I’m excited to bring what I learned back to Seneca Valley and give students more opportunities to ask questions, design solutions, test their ideas and see how STEM connects to the world around them,” Friday also said in a Sept. 3 news release.
Other school and district staff members also recognized Friday’s participation in the news release.
“Opportunities like the STEM Pioneers program allow our teachers to continually expand their knowledge while bringing new experiences and perspectives back to our classrooms,” said Cassandra Doggrell, the district’s director of student services.
Kristen White, principal of Haine Elementary School, said that Friday’s “selection as a STEM Pioneer is a wonderful recognition of the work he is already doing with students, as well as his potential to grow as a teacher leader and share new ideas with colleagues.”
The initiative is funded by the National Science Foundation and led by Penn State University, The College of New Jersey and West Virginia University. Seventy three educators applied for the program, according to Penn State’s website.
