Thank You to our Hard Working Teacher Heroes
in Delaware Education
Dear Delaware Educators,
The Delaware Foundation for Science & Math Education (DFSME) has been supporting Delaware's educators and the enhancement of Delaware's education system for several decades. We have witnessed many changes in the education system and the challenges educators have faced over the years, but the impact of the pandemic has been unprecedented.
In the past two years you have been put under incredible pressure, yet you have stepped up in amazing ways. Your grit and tenacity have kept our education system going. Your adapting to new technologies, procedures, and methods of teaching has been commendable. You rewrite lessons or create completely new ones to suit the needs of the moment, often with very little notice. Many of you have spent not just time but also your own funds to ensure your students have the materials they need. You continue to present a positive and welcoming face to students in spite of anything else that may be going on. Your drive to keep teaching our students to help them build their futures is humbling.
We all have had to adapt to life in the pandemic. And while everyone’s circumstances are different,
we see groups whose challenges are greater than others’. The level of change educators have dealt with has been high, constant, and stressful. Gaps in the education process and student learning have opened up and need to be addressed. Yet our students still want to be in school and learning still continues to take place. That is a testament to the incredible strength of our educators.
The DFSME Board and leadership are sincere in thanking you for your ongoing efforts and resiliency.
We interact with educators, parents, government representatives, and business people across Delaware, and the messages we have been hearing over the past two years are how impressed everyone has been with the drive of our teachers. We acknowledge the importance of educator recognition and we broadly communicate your recognition to your colleagues and community.
You might not hear it every day, but people are thinking it every day: Thank you!
As we recognize the difficulties you have faced and are still facing, we are hopeful that better days
are not far ahead. We thank you for your tremendous spirit and courage and for keeping on making a difference in the world.
With deep appreciation,
DFSME
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Become a STEM Educator Award Winner
Deadline: May 30, 2022
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STEM Educator Award
The Delaware STEM Council and the Delaware Foundation for Science & Math Education (DFSME) have been supporting Delaware's educators and the enhancement of Delaware's education system for several decades. The Delaware STEM Educator Awards recognize certified teachers who demonstrate STEM innovation and excellence through teaching, academic collaboration, and student engagement. Awards are honored at the elementary (K-5), middle (6-8), and high school (9-12) levels.
STEM Educator Community Award
Are you a STEM Educator but might not fit into the usual K-12 description?
The Delaware STEM Educator Community Award offers recognition and funding. This award is open to community educators and organizations that coordinate STEM activities for youth in grades P-12 that typically, but not exclusively, take place outside the school environment such as afterschool and organizations that are essentially non-traditional.
Cash Awards up to $7,500
Winners at each level are eligible for a cash award up to $7,500 in recognition of their commitment to STEM in Delaware and the success of our students.
Winners will be honored at the 8th Annual Delaware STEM Educator Awards Event in November 2022.
Eligibility
Applicants can be certified K-12 teachers in the Delaware public school system as well as exceptional educators who may be uncertified but still work with K-12 students in a focused STEM curriculum. Such a curriculum (science, math, engineering, technology, computer science and CTE) must still meet all expectations and goals of the Delaware STEM Council, as listed above. Programs can include before and after school programs as well as summer camps. Preference is given to published STEM curriculums and programs that have been vetted, sustainable STEM programs and activities that have impacted many and can be replicated and scaled across the state and beyond.
Application Deadline - May 30, 2022
Completed applications and all supporting materials will be accepted on a rolling basis but must be received by May 30, 2022.
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The 7th Delaware STEM Educator Awards Event Videos
Now Available on YouTube!
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STEM educators, advocates, and leaders gathered on Nov. 4, 2021 to recognize the most innovative and dedicated STEM educators working in The First State today through the 7th Delaware STEM Educator Awards.
The Delaware STEM Council and the Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education (DFSME) hosted the ceremony in a hybrid format from Buena Vista Country Estate in New Castle.
The special evening was made possible thanks to the event’s Signature Sponsor, Ashland, as well as Sponsors Labware, DuPont and Agilent.
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Teachers K-6: 2022 PAEMST Awards
Applications are Still Open
Deadline: February 6, 2022
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The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the highest honors bestowed by the United States government specifically for K-12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teaching. The Awards were established by Congress in 1983. The President may recognize up to 108 exemplary teachers each year.
The award recognizes those teachers have both deep content knowledge of the subjects they teach and the ability to motivate and enable students to be successful in those areas. Since the program's inception, more than 5,000 teachers have been recognized for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession. The award alternates each year between teachers of grades K-6 and teacher of grades 7-12. This year applications are being accepted from K-6 teachers.
For more info, including eligibility, applicant webinars and the PAEMST application, click here.
For more details, you can also contact the Delaware PAEMST State Coordinators below:
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The Jon Manon STEAM Team Education Award
Presented annually by DFSME to recognize a team of teachers who have collaborated within their school to achieve outstanding accomplishments, not possible without coordinated team planning and execution. The Award recognizes team collaboration within the school; administrative support for collective, interdisciplinary activities; and unique opportunities for students.
The Award recognizes the roles of the team members and provides recognition and a cash award of $1,000 for the team. This is to support projects – and publicizes to the school, district leadership, and the state the success of the team, and how the STEAM education of their students has been improved to make them more competitive in the future Delaware STEM workforce.
To read about the 2021 winning team and their project, click here.
For more information about the submission or nomination of a project, please contact Randy Guschl at guschlrj@gmail.com.
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Pictured (L to R): Charlie Webb, Coordinator, Instruction for the Appoquinimink School District; Todd Dunn, Science Specialist for the Appoquinimink School District; Matthew Juck, Science Teacher and Award Winner Middletown High School; Jon Manon, President, DFSME; Randolph Guschl, Executive Director, DFSME; and Matthew Burrows, Superintendent of the Appoquinimink School District.
On January 11, 2022, the Jon Manon STEAM Team Education Award was presented to an interdisciplinary team of 4 teachers at Middletown High School. Winning teachers are Gene Beitman, Matthew Juck, Atilano Rodriguez and David Wessell. The team wove various concepts from the sciences, mathematics, and art into a single synthesis.
To learn more about the team’s project, watch the video that aired at the 7th Delaware STEM Educator Awards ceremony held Nov 4, 2021 at Buena Vista in New Castle, Delaware. To view the YouTube video, click here.
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Short of Funding for your Students’ STEM Project?
What is a DFSME Mini Grant & How to Apply
What is the purpose of DFSME Mini Grants?
What kinds of funding will DFSME consider?
Who can apply?
How much can be requested?
When can we apply?
How do we apply?
For more information or to send in an application, click here.
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January 10-27
Delaware Agriculture Week and Month 2022
Live, hybrid and virtual gatherings with local and national industry experts
explore the latest innovations in agriculture.
An ongoing collaboration with UD Cooperative Extension
and Delaware Department of Agriculture.
For more information and to register for sessions, click here.
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February 1-28
Black History Month
Black history is American history — and it’s a varied and rich history.
What happened in the past shapes and informs where we are heading in the future.
It’s of paramount importance! To learn as much as we can, click here.
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February 6
PAEMST Award Application Deadline
For more information including eligibility, applicant webinars
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February 20-26
Engineers Week
E-Week is dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce
by increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers.
For more information and free teacher resources, click here.
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March 12
Triple Crown Conference 2022
Delaware Council of Mathematics Leaders Annual Conference includes
the varied needs of Delaware’s mathematics leadership community.
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Save the Date! March 24
Delaware Women & Girls STEM Day
Established in 2021 by the State of Delaware Governor’s Office and
hosted in collaboration with Million Women Mentors and Delaware STEM Council.
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April 14
Yes! Delaware Youth Environmental Summit 2022
YES! is a statewide confab for all Delaware high school students interested in protecting our Earth,
from home schoolers to all public, parochial and independent schools in Delaware.
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Save the Date! October 14-15
Delaware Mathematics & STEM Equity Conferences
Two powerful days of professional learning dedicated to Equity in Math and STEM.
Sponsored by the Delaware Mathematics Coalition & Delaware Department of Education
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Save the Date! November 18-19
8th Annual Delaware STEM Educator Awards Ceremony
Live Zoom Videocast from Buena Vista Country Estate in New Castle, Delaware
Co-hosted by Delaware STEM Council and DFSME, the event announces winners at the
Elementary School (K-5), Middle School (6-8) and High School (9-12) levels,
the Community Award, the Jon Manon STEAM Team Educator Award and others!
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Our Sponsors & Supporters |
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Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education thanks the following
organizations for contributions to STEM education in Delaware.
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STEM Legacy
STEM Heritage
STEM Sustainer
STEM Network
STEM Business
STEM Friends
STEM Gifts in Kind
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Delaware Foundation for Science and Math Education
100 W. 10th Street, Suite 612
Wilmington, DE 19801
Tel: 302.397.0034 | Fax: 302.397.0036
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©2021 Delaware Foundation for Science & Math Education
501(c)(3) Education nonprofit dealing with K-16 STEM education in Delaware schools.
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