NSTA Conference on Science Education, Denver, CO  

The GFO and Teach@Mines teams had such an extraordinary learning experience at the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) conference this Spring! We wanted to share highlights from the conference and pictures showing what a great time it was for our team and science teachers across the country to learn, connect, and lead. We also had the opportunity to meet NASA engineer and YouTube sensation, Mark Rober, the World’s Greatest Edu-Trainer, Dr. Adolph Brown, Drs. Doug Duncan and Jimmy Negus, astronomers at CU, and NSTA President, Dr. Julie Luft. What a week! Here are some words of wisdom, pictures, and appreciation from our attendees.

"One of the best parts about teaching is the relationships with colleagues.  The NSTA Spring 2024 conference was a chance to rekindle relationships with old colleagues and form new ones going forward.  In addition, there were lots of opportunities to learn.  I learned about how to respect diversity and to be inclusive in a classroom and fun teaching practices.  I also learned about the different situations teachers have in different locations, including what is happening here in Colorado. Lastly, I was heartened to see the support and resources given to science teachers by various organizations and agencies." 

– Jia-Wern Hue

"The true magic of the NSTA conference lay not merely in the wealth of knowledge shared but in the invaluable bonds forged and rekindled. The conference reminded me that the strength of science lies in our friendships and the impact of our collective pursuit of excellence in science education." – Dawson Lang

 “As this was my first time attending NSTA, the experience was very enlightening. I wasn't aware of the massive comradery shared amongst teachers, but seeing everyone so kindly share resources and strategies was amazing to witness. I was able to talk to some preservice and new teachers, and to hear their experiences and how they managed their first few years helped dissipate some of the fears I had. I'm really grateful for the opportunity to go and also present, and I look forward to learning more.”  – Ange McCullum

New on the GFO Website

The fantastic new filterable GFO Community map allows you to filter on just the Community sites you need.

National Association of Federal Education Program Administrators Conference

Jean Lee and Sarah Dyess were spotlight presenters on March 18, 2024 at the 2024 National Association of Federal Education Program Administrators conference. Their presentation, Changing the Narrative of the Teaching Profession with Students to Bolster Federal Education Programs, helped federal education program directors, superintendents, and district office administrators who are funded from Title 1 or other programs under ESEA envision how to use GFO materials for teacher recruitment.

Voices from the Field

Short testimonies and feedback from the GFO Community

Glenn Waddell has been attending high school career fairs and testing language to help pull students into conversation and discussion about teaching. Glenn discovered that telling students,

“'You look like a future math teacher,' or 'You look like a future math or science teacher,' immediately stopped students and started conversations. They were often surprised that someone thought of them in that way, and asked questions instead of just walking by to other booths."

Glenn also served as a target for the Pi Day celebration / STEM Club fundraiser. Below is Dean Easton-Brooks making sure the pie landed squarely on target.

"Building relationships with students is essential to retention in our program, and is often mentioned in exit interviews about what they loved most about their time at UNR."

We are excited to welcome 12 new GFO Champions! 

A GFO Champion is anyone who shares facts about the teaching profession by using the materials and messages from the GFO project locally or nationally. A GFO Champion can be a current teacher, a faculty member, a teacher recruiter, or a careers advisor, or more!

It helps the project a great deal if you register as a Champion - and, you will appear on the community map, earn designations that can be included in your professional portfolio, and can make priority requests for local teacher salary and benefits data.

We are excited to welcome our 12 newest GFO Champions:

Lisa Amick, University of Kentucky, Math or Math Education

Timothy Tidmore, Autauga County, AL, Administration

Dawnyell Goolsby, Inglewood Unified School District, CA, Education

Tundra Woolard, Bertie County Schools, NC, PK-12 Education

Janet Hagood, Jefferson County School System, AL, Administration

Kimberly Funnell, Midland Public Schools, MI, State & Federal Programs

Blake Frazier, Jefferson County School System, AL, Federal Programs, Asst. Director

Moises Orengo-Aviles, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, Physics or Physics Education

Steffanie Immerfall, The Okeechobee County School Board, FL, Business/Entrepreneurship- Recruitment & Retention

Georgia Cobbs, University of Montana, Math or Math Education

Sharon Christensen, Brigham Young University, UT, Math or Math Education

Brian Hancock, Alma College, MI, Physics or Physics Education

Basil Conway, Columbus State University, GA, Math or Math Education

Not a Champion yet? Learn more about becoming a GFO Champion.

Already a Champion? Please register your activities!

Talk to us! We want to hear from you – your successes, challenges, questions and concerns!  Email GettheFactsOut@Mines.edu.