Local Educators Selected to Participate in STEM Learning Opportunity for Rural Communities

NASHVILLE, Tenn.– The Tennessee STEM Innovation Network, a public/private partnership between the Tennessee Department of Education and Battelle Education, announced today the 2023-24 cohort of the Tennessee Rural STEM Collaborative (TRSC) – a year-long professional development opportunity for rural educators designed to share promising practices in STEM education, seek solutions to local education challenges, and encourage the development of a targeted STEM solution for each community or school represented. This year, 45 educators representing 30 counties across Tennessee were competitively selected for the Collaborative. 

“The TRSC program provides a framework for expanding STEM education across Tennessee’s rural education communities. Through targeted capacity building, reduced teacher isolation, and increased collective impact, we are advancing STEM access and equity statewide.” said Brandi Stroecker, Direct of the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network. The TRSC was recently profiled in an EducationWeek whitepaper titled, Expanding STEM Learning Opportunities in Rural Schools, that highlights several educator experiences and programmatic data.

Within the Collaborative, there are three regional cohorts that will map the STEM resources unique to the educational landscapes of West, Middle, and East Tennessee. The Collaborative provides a stipend for teachers to engage with the program and implement a targeted STEM initiative within their own communities. For more information, visit https://www.tsin.org/tennessee-rural-stem-collaborative. 

As part of the Tennessee STEM Rural Collaborative, Regional Consultants are selected from the 3 major regions of the state (West, Central, East) to support each educator in their represented region. These consultants provide support, feedback, and resources to each cohort member. This year's Regional Consultants are Crystal Lock from Finley Elementary, Dyer County Schools; Lichelle Lenoard from Smyrna Elementary, Rutherford County Schools; and Mendi Catlett from Ootlewah Elementary, Hamilton County Schools. 

The Tennessee STEM Innovation Network is a public-private collaborative between the Tennessee Department of Education and Battelle Education, emphasizing a “kindergarten through jobs” philosophy by promoting the teaching and learning of STEM education and integrating real-world and hands-on learning in K-12 public schools across Tennessee. Visit: www.TSIN.org