2007-2009 Cohort

The North Carolina Leadership Association (NCSLA) is proud to announce an initiative to foster the development of science education leaders in North Carolina. The purpose of the NCSLA Science Leadership Fellows Program is to enhance professional competence and develop the leadership abilities necessary for science leaders to operate effectively in various leadership positions in science education. This newly revised program is supported by the North Carolina Science, Mathematics and Technology Education Center.

Participants

Apple, Leigh
Baile, Julie Onslow County Schools New Bridge Middle This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Benigno, Michelle Henderson County Schools Instructional Coach This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Berge, Patty Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools East Chapel Hill High This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Childers, Tracy Burke County Schools East Burke Middle This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Read Tracy's blog from his workshop in Yellowstone Park.
Wood, Katherine Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools Glenwood Elementary This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Corbin, Robert Discovery Place VP Learning Services This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ellis, Michelle Gaston County Schools Lingerfeldt Elementary This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Wayne Fisher Charlotte-Mecklenberg Schools K-5 Science Specialist This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Forkner, Mary Tom's Creek Nursery Educator This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Foye, Michelle Iredell-Statesville Schools Celeste Henkel Elementary This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Hackett, Valerie Kannapolis City Schools Kannapolis Intermediate This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Hite, Rebecca Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Chapel Hill High This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
James, Debra Guilford County Schools Southern Guilford High School This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Carrie Jones Wake County Schools Middle Creek High This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Kraszeski, Debbie Guilford County Schools Secondary Science Curriculum Specialist This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Peacock, Elizabeth Wake County Schools Elementary Science Coordinating Teacher This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Livesay, Susan Moore County Schools Science Cuuriculum Specialist This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Hudson, Lisa North Carolina Department of Instruction Science Consultant This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
McDonald, Jalynn Lee County Schools Lee County High This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Raymond, Vickie Chatham County Schools Jordan Matthews High School This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Rutherford, Heather Chatham County Schools Virginia Cross Elementary This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Williams, Mark Guilford County Schools GTCC Middle College This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Facilitators: Bill Kawczynski, Donna Melpolder Darlene Ryan, Mary Louise Bellamy, Scott Childers, and Pat Shane.

Events – Year 1

First Session- October 4-6, 2007

The current fellows started out taking the Meyers Briggs personality assessment.  We continued the next day with multiple activities to develop effective communication skills in our challenging situations.  We were able to analyze our strengths and weakness as leaders so we could serve as agents of change in our schools and systems.  Bonding occurred through these team-building activities while developing professional networking. 

In the practice of consensus building, a logo was developed to represent the current cohort.

Second Session – November 14-16, 2007

Fellows attended the NCSLA Fall Meeting which included presentations from Dr. Jerry Valadez, Former President of NSELA and Dr. Lin Chambers, NASA Scientist.  The NCSTA Professional Development Institute coincided with the Fall NCSLA Meeting.   As Fellows, we promoted the NCSLA program by recruiting new members at the exhibition hall and providing information for conference participants.  After attending multiple sessions and visiting numerous vendors, fellows had a final meeting to share valuable materials and resources.  The collaboration and sharing was an amazing opportunity to extend our network of science connections and enhance student learning.  Fellows networked at the fall meeting and NCSTA President’s reception where one of our Fellows,  Rebecca Hite Mercadoocasio, received a District 5 Outstanding High School Science Teaching Award.

Third Session – February 9, 2008

The Winter Retreat focused on decision making as a leader.  Fellows were presented with a model for making decisions that looked at process, relationships, and results.  A simulation was used to give the Fellows practice in this model.  The Fellows departed this meeting with an action plan for implementation of the model and a partner to email or phone to in order to discuss the progress or reflect upon potential strategies.

Fourth Session – April 24-25, 2008

At the spring NCSLA meeting, fellows and members came together to network, to recognize the accomplishment of one of their peers, and to hear about current issues in science education from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Organizations were recognized whose support is essential for the functioning of the Association.  Continuity of leadership was demonstrated by the installation of new officers and the passing of the gavel to the new president, Max Dass.

The spring workshop for fellows focused on technology and applications in the classroom.  Fellows were introduced to open source software, video lectures, and lesson support software.  The day was filled with teachers exchanging helpful sites and techological applications that have proven to be effective in their own experiences.