Kathleen Renfrew

Peacham, VT | K-6, Science, 2000

What motivates you to contribute to excellence in STEM teaching?

I am motivated by the need of developing scientifically literate society. I continue working for the children. I am trying to get all children access to high quality science instruction, especially our youngest learners. I want all students to be creative and curious, figuring things out. So I continue do whatever I can to move my vision forward.

What has been the most transformative moment that affirmed your impact on STEM education?

Achieving the PAEMST award helped me articulate my philosophy of education which is student centered, inquiry based & playful yet contains meaningful learning experiences for students. Realizing PAEMST awardees were role models for educators was incredible & scary. The challenge of moving others forward in STEM understanding helped me know which path I needed to take. I became a K-5 Science Assessment Coordinator. Working at Vermnt AOE provided opportunities for learning. In my role at the state I developed math and science assessments and facilitated professional learning statewide. I built K-5 math and science leadership teams & brought meaningful science learning to the teachers of Vermont. I now coach, teach and write about K-5 science.

Using your platform as a Presidential Awardee, how do you hope to advance our nation in STEM?

As a former classroom teacher recognition as PAESMT has provided me with a credible stature to move STEM education forward. I use that credibility focusing on children being taught science. I advocate for K-5 science. All students should have daily science instruction. I use social media to spread my message. We need to make time for science in our K-5 classrooms. I call Congress, present at conferences. I am currently researching and writing about the place of interactive read aloud in science.

Biography

I graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. I taught for 35 years. My goal was to make science meaningful and enjoyable. Projects: I wrote a Learning to Build:Building to Learn grant. My students and I with help from community members built a 16 x 24 foot log cabin. The students measured and laid the foundation. They thinned woodlots, skinned bark off trees and worked with high school forestry students to plane the logs .With assistance from the community we built a cabin classroom with a cedar shingled roof outside our window that provided more learning space during Covid. Our classroom included a nature trail and pond where we created signage and labeled tree and plants . We collected data from the weather station Students adopted a tree on the playground, learned photography and used digital cameras to photograph seasonally. Data was developed into a tree guide for the town and was officially presented at town meeting. Connecting students with higher education. We went to Vermont State University.. Student worked with a biology professor where they learned about cells. I was recruited to become a leader at the state level. I became the K-5 Math & Science leader for the VT AOE . I developed and mentored professional learning teams who then went back to their school or district and provided professional development . I am a science education specialist for the Wade Institute for Science Education @ Manomet Conservation Sciences advocate for K-5 science . Awards: NBCT. $10,000 Toyota Tapestry Grant Elementary Teacher of the Year : Vermont Academy of Science And Engineering. Exemplary Science Educator :CESI Presented/Participated: NSTA committees and Conferences Field editor of multiple publications.

The views expressed in awardee profiles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of NSF or the PAEMST program.