Discussion Question: STEM Specialist Endorsement vs STEM Endorsement

[Karoline Jarr]

There was some disussion at our last meeting regarding STEM Specialist vs STEM Endorsement.

 

I’m interested to hear your thoughts on this delineation and the advantages or disadvantages of these two types of endorsements.   Would one be more valuable to stakeholders (districts, schools, teachers, students, the State of Iowa) than another? Would one be of greater value if we think about the ultimate goals of the Governer's STEM initiative?

It is my understanding that a specialist would be more like a coach who would work with teachers to integrate STEM in classrooms and across the curriculum.  Do I have an accurate perception?

[scott.greenhalgh]

Karoline,
An article came out yesterday identifying the growing need for both integrative STEM coaches and integrative STEM teachers. The article was written by Wells who coordinates the integrative STEM (I-STEM) graduate program at Virginia Tech. With both integrative STEM teachers and coaches needing content, pedagogy, and curriculum mapping skills in the various STEM disciplines and in integrative STEM applications, would a, integrative STEM endorsement prepare both integrative STEM teachers/ specialists, AND integrative STEM coaches? The holder of the endorsement could then pursue their role(s) in the school depending upon their interest and the needs of the school. Are their additional criteria needed for either integrative STEM coaches or teachers?
Scott Greenhalgh