Toyota Education Initiatives in STEAM Innovation and AAPS Prepare 2nd Round of Educational Visit to Singapore

Jun 2, 2014 10:10 AM ET

ANN ARBOR, Mich., June 2, 2014 /3BL Media/ - For the second year, Ann Arbor Public Schools staff members have been invited to join the Toyota Education Initiatives in STEAM Innovation (Toyota STEAM) program. This year, Superintendent Dr. Jeanice K. Swift will make the trip along with 20 other AAPS staff representing many from the district’s instructional and administrative levels. 

Fully funded by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE), this professional development program for U.S. secondary school educators is designed to support efforts to prepare and inspire an increased number of U.S. students to study and pursue careers in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) fields.
 
Over the past 15 years, Toyota and IIE have conducted 19 international short-study programs in Japan, the Galapagos Islands, Costa Rica and South Africa through the Toyota International Teacher Program. Over 695 alumni, including the first cohort of AAPS educators, make up a network across the U.S. representing some of the nation’s top educators.
 
Last summer, ten AAPS staff members traveled to Singapore as part of the first year pilot. They continue to collaborate with Toyota and IIE to develop this year’s work-study program in partnership with the Academy of Singapore Teachers, Singapore Ministry of Education. The AAPS Development Team, in partnership with the 2014 STEAM Cohort, will work with AAPS staff and students during the 2014-15 school year to develop innovative integration of STEAM lessons, units and projects for AAPS students.
 
The new Toyota Education Initiatives in STEAM Innovation program aims to have a larger impact on an entire school district and to forge international collaborations between educators and students where possible. Toyota and AAPS have existing ties through the Toyota Technical Center, Toyota’s Research and Development arm for North America, located in the Ann Arbor community. AAPS staff will learn about Singapore’s STEM educational practices, which are known for their global achievements in the areas of Science and Mathematics.   
 
This year’s AAPS staff traveling to Singapore with the Toyota STEAM program are:
 

Name Job Title School/Office
Jeanice Swift Superintendent Ann Arbor Public Schools
Merri Lynn Colligan Executive Director of Instructional Technology and Information Services Ann Arbor Public Schools
Jenna Bacolor Executive Director Community Education and Recreation
Michael Chmura Media Specialist Forsythe Middle School
Kit Flynn Principal Ann Arbor Open School
Michael Frantsen Technology and Design/U.S. Government & Economics Education Teacher Roberto Clemente Student Development Center
Amy Furey Mathematics Teacher Huron High School
Diana Gordon Technology Education Teacher Tappan Middle School
Laurie Hochrein Mathematics Teacher Skyline High School
Kristal
Jaaskelainen
English Language Arts Lead Teacher Skyline High School
Anthony Lauer Online and Options Coordinator Community High School
Michelle
Macke
Math Department Chair Pioneer High School
Cory
McElmeel
Principal Skyline High School
Soon
Morningstar
Science/Math Teacher Clague Middle School
Peter Pasque Instructional Technology Teacher Skyline High School
Phil Sanborn Math and Science Teacher Pioneer High School
Amie Snapke Physical Science and Computer Teacher Forsythe Middle School
Darlene Tankersley Art Department Chair Huron High School
Marcy
Tuzinsky
Lead Teacher/ Math Teacher Community High School
Laura Wayne Visual Arts/Humanities Teacher Martin Luther King Elementary School
Jenni Wilkening Science Teacher Huron High School
 

 

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Media Contacts

Rhonda Glasscock
Rhonda_Glasscock@toyota.com
(310) 468-4119

Liz Nowland-Margolis
Executive Director, Ann Arbor Public Schols Communications Dept.
margolis@aaps.k12.mi.us