Knowles Science Teaching Foundation Announces 2015 Cohort of Teaching Fellows

MOORESTOWN, N.J., June 10, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Knowles Science Teaching Foundation today announced its 2015 cohort of Teaching Fellows. This year, 34 promising high school mathematics and science teachers who are just beginning their careers were awarded KSTF Teaching Fellowships. Bringing a myriad of personal and professional experiences to the classroom, the 2015 cohort includes five published authors, a NASA K–12 STEM Educator Program participant, the co-founder and organizing committee chair of ComSciCon, a wilderness trip leader, a Formula SAE competition director, and an Engineers Without Borders volunteer.

The KSTF Teaching Fellows Program is a comprehensive five-year professional development program designed to provide beginning high school mathematics and science teachers with the support needed to help them develop into master teachers who lead from the classroom. KSTF Teaching Fellows receive stipends, funds for professional development, grants for teaching materials, professional development and coaching from a staff of experienced teachers and teacher educators, support from a national network of mathematics and science teachers, and opportunities to take on leadership and mentoring within KSTF and beyond.

"Our 2015 Teaching Fellows are exceptionally talented, driven individuals who are committed to making mathematics and science relevant to high school students," said Nicole Gillespie, Executive Director, KSTF. "Through participation in the Teaching Fellows Program, these beginning teachers will develop the skills needed to become outstanding teachers who have the capacity and drive to improve education from the ground up."

"What I expect to gain from the KSTF Fellowship is a network of peers who I can learn from and with," said Faven Habte, 2015 KSTF Teaching Fellow. "I expect to be pushed and to grow in developing my teaching practices and philosophy. Ultimately, I expect to become a better teacher for my students and a greater advocate for the teaching profession."

Please visit http://www.kstf.org/2015-fellows/ to read about this year's cohort of Teaching Fellows.

KSTF awarded its first four Fellowships in 2002. The KSTF community has since grown to include nearly 300 Teaching and Senior Fellows in 42 states.

Applications for 2016 KSTF Teaching Fellowships will be accepted until 11:59 pm PST on November 1, 2015. Please visit www.kstf.org/apply for more information.

About KSTF  
                                                                                                                                               
The Knowles Science Teaching Foundation (KSTF) was established by Janet H. and C. Harry Knowles in 1999 to increase the number of high quality high school science and mathematics teachers and ultimately, improve math and science education in the United States. The KSTF Teaching Fellows Program, the Foundation's signature program, awards exceptional young men and women with five-year, early-career Fellowships, empowering them to become primary agents of educational improvement. For more information, visit www.kstf.org.