Ruth Howell

Lyman, SC | K-6, Mathematics, 2022

What motivates you to contribute to excellence in STEM teaching?

My greatest motivation comes from watching my students get excited about learning and shout unapologetically, "I did it." It's watching that small spark of curiosity develop into a set of questions that drive their creativity, problem-solving ability, and out of the box thinking. I want my students to understand that failure is learning and only moves them one step closer to a result.

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

The most transformative moment that affirmed my impact on STEM education was when a former student stopped by to visit me during his 10th grade year. He came to thank me for giving him so many opportunities through hands on exploration. He talked about the various science experiments we did that year and how much he learned. He then told me I was one of the only teachers he had that taught through hands on learning, how sad that made him because he really loved science, and how he eventually gave up on looking at a career in science. Hearing that affirmed everything I believed about STEM education and caused me to increase the amount of explorations, simulations, and experiments I currently teach.

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

As a Presential Awardee, I want to advocate for the expansion of STEM opportunities in the early grades. Partnership with industry and community organizations provide numerous opportunities for older students but there's not enough in place for our younger students. Young children are naturally curious, full of wonder, and want to explore the world around them. By nurturing that curiosity from the earliest grades, we grow a future generation inspired to lead and who seek innovation.

Biography

Ruth Howell has been teaching for 27 years. She has spent the past 17 years teaching third grade at Lyman Elementary. She currently teaches third grade gifted and talented and is a First Lego League and Wonder Robotics Coach. Previously she taught in Spartanburg School District 2 and 7. Ruth is a member of the National Association of Gifted Teachers (NAGC), National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). She has presented at the South Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference (SCCTM) and the Upstate Technology Conference (UTC) multiple times. She is a Microsoft Global Learning Mentor, a Certified Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, and a Seesaw Ambassador. Ruth has successfully written and received over $22,000 in grants to enhance the education of her students. Ruth strives to create an interdisciplinary, STEAM-infused classroom. She believes students learn by doing and embraces the concept that mistakes are part of the process. Each year her students participate in Computer Science Week, Engineering Week, and in the United States Space Force STEM to Space and STEM to SKY Initiative. Ruth believes learning goes beyond the walls of her classroom and has connected her students with classrooms and experts across the world. Her students have connected with scientists from Antarctica to South Africa and had the opportunity to interact with people such as Jane Goodall, Stacey Abrams, Chelsey Clinton, Cressida Cowell, Henry Winkler, and Dan Gutman. Ruth holds an Ed.S. in marriage and family therapy, an M.Ed. in elementary education from Converse College, and a B.S. in early childhood education from the University of Georgia.

High-resolution version of the teacher profile photograph

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