A Special Visit

Over the past year and a half, I've been working with several teachers in my building to incorporate S.T.E.M. into their instruction. I don't want S.T.E.M. to be an event or separate entity, but instead used to support student thinking within the core content areas. I've worked share my vision and build the capacity of the students and teachers I support. In December, my principal asked "I wonder what it would take to get you and the Lt. Governor in the same room to talk about S.T.E.M.?" Our Lt. Governor, is a big supporter of S.T.E.M. education in our state, and I knew if we could get her to visit with me about our S.T.E.M. journey and vision, our students and teachers would benefit! As I left the principal's office, I was excited about the prospect of a visit, but was realistic in recognizing there would be a lot of hoops to jump through to make such a visit occur. To my surprise, two weeks later I learned that my principal did a lot of work and thanks to a connection with a state representative, not only would the Lt. Governor be visiting our building, but also the Governor! Needless to say, I was thrilled to hear this news! 

Fast forward to the present, and I can honestly say today was an amazing! We welcomed the Governor, Lt. Governor, and a State Representative into our building to share our S.T.E.M. journey and vision for the future. In addition to my principal sharing our school's story, I had the opportunity to share why I believe S.T.E.M. needs to be included in our instruction. We also gave the Governor, Lt. Governor, and State Representative a tour of the building, and while visiting classrooms, they interacted with students participating in S.T.E.M. activities. The thirty minute visit flew by, but before leaving, the Lt. Governor shared with our students that they shouldn't let S.T.E.M. ideas and thinking end when they walk out the school doors, but that they should "take it home." 

Now that the visit is over, I look forward to continuing to support teachers as they work to incorporate S.T.E.M. into their classrooms. I also plan to continue sharing lessons, including S.T.E.M. activities, that I model in classrooms.  I am passionate about S.T.E.M., and after hearing how impressed the Governor and Lt. Governor were about my leadership and vision, I look forward to the future and the path my building and myself are on!

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