Wendy Osterman

Clarkston, MI | 7-12, Mathematics, 2015

What motivates you to contribute to excellence in STEM teaching?

What motivates me to contribute to excellence in STEM is the power it holds for the present and future—for students, educators, families, and communities. STEM is not just content knowledge; it’s about engaging learners and building capacity to think critically, solve real-world problems, and innovate. As an administrator, I’m driven to create systemic structures that support the next generation of thinkers, leaders, and changemakers.

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

As a Presidential Awardee, I continue to use my platform to advocate for equity in STEM, support educator development, and influence systemic change. My ongoing work focuses on creating sustainable structures that expand access, elevate teaching, and prepare all students for future opportunities in STEM.

Biography

Dr. Wendy Osterman has been a passionate educator for over 25 years, with experience at both the teacher and administrative levels. She taught students for 17 years through various computer and mathematics classes in grades 6-12. For 12 of those years, Wendy taught at Sashabaw Middle School in Clarkston, Michigan, where she grew her practice through professional learning, collaboration, and self-reflection. During her last few years at Sashabaw Middle School, Wendy took on several leadership roles including the Math Department Chair, Cultures of Thinking Coordinator, and Professional Learning Communities Coordinator. The knowledge gained in the classroom and through her leadership roles, combined with the PAEMST award, led to a district administrative role in Bloomfield Hills Schools as the Distinct Assessment Coordinator. This district administrative role allowed Wendy to be an active mathematician while collaborating with and leading other educators. After four years in Bloomfield, Wendy was offered a position back in Clarkston Community Schools, where she currently serves as the Administrator of Data Structure & Analysis. As an administrator in Clarkston, Wendy leads the MTSS framework, supervises the district's Interventionists, collaborates with many administrators and teachers, and provides support with gathering and analyzing data for instructional and programming needs. Wendy has committed her life to education, as a passionate educator and mathematician. She earned a B.A. from Western Michigan University, an M.Ed. from Michigan State University, an Ed.S. from University of Michigan, and, most recently, an Ed.D. from Oakland University. She is certified in secondary mathematics and computer science and holds a central office administrator certificate.

High-resolution version of the official portrait photograph
Awardee holding Presidential certificate between Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director, Dr. John P. Holdren, and Assistant Director, Directorate for Education and Human Resources, National Science Foundation, Dr. Joan Ferrini-Mundy.
High-resolution version of the teacher profile photograph

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