Teacher Thoughts

1. How would you describe STEM education to a friend or family member in informal conversation? STEM education is an integration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. There is often a misconception that each subject is a separate entity; however, STEM is a paradigm of crosscutting concepts that can be applied in the real world to solve problems. It reinforces critical thinking and common practices that are used in science, technology, engineering, and math classrooms. With that, STEM education creates critical thinkers, sets the pathway for the new generation of inventors, and increases science literacy. The world is becoming technology-dependent and STEM has an impact on technological advances especially with things like artificial intelligence, or AI. We have a duty, as teachers, to cultivate creative and innovative minds to help lead advances. 2. Why do you think STEM education is (or is not) important? There is a current push for increasing

Somebody Else’s Kids by Torey Hayden is a great book that provides some insight on special education. The story revolves around a class containing four students: Boo, Tomaso, Lori, and Claudia. Each student has different learning needs, but what the four students have in common is that they do not belong in other general education classes. The book is captivating from start to finish and it really made me appreciate the progress special education has made throughout the years. Back then, not much was known about learning differences and it seemed as if a majority of people did not care or were not properly educated with how to best accommodate students’ special needs. I am happy that now more and more people have a better understanding of special education and that there are laws in place to support students who require such services and accommodations. While reading, I was drawn to Lori Sjokheim who is a seven year old girl in first grade. Lori is a very sweet, s