K-5 Science Teacher Leadership
Next Generation Science Standards require next-level teaching
High quality teacher professional development is essential for realizing the vision of NGSS. Yet, district resources can be scarce.
Teacher leaders, working in their schools and neighborhoods, can address this gap.
Teacher Leaders are key for scaling NGSS training
Educational research shows that shifts in teaching practice require ongoing coaching and support. ESTELE seeks to train more than 60 teacher leaders at schools across Chicago.
ESTELE is a comprehensive, year-long training experience
Spring
Teacher Leader Institute- Three full days of training (April 22nd, April 23rd, and May 22nd)
- NGSS pedagogy, peer coaching, leadership
- Subsititute teachers provided
Summer
Practicum Coaching- Co-Lead summer training for new-to NGSS teachers
- Coach teachers summer camp practicum
- Three weeks, M-Th each week
Academic Year
Implementation- Select 2-3 peer teachers for school-based teacher team
- Two professional learning community (PLC) days, subs provided
- Ongoing NU support
Program Leaders
Maranda Don, M.Ed.
Associate Director, Science in Society
Maranda started her career teaching middle school science in Los Angeles’ Partnerships to Uplift Communities (PUC) Charter School Network. Her recent positions include Manager of Teacher Leadership Development with Teach for America, Assistant Principal at Camino Nuevo Charter Academy in Los Angeles, and K-8 Science Director in Niles, IL. She has two Master of Education degrees, one in School Leadership & Administration and a second in Urban Education and Educational Policy, both from Loyola Marymount University. Maranda is a rabid Chicago Bears fan.
Michael Kennedy, PhD
Research Professor and Director, Science in Society
Mike is founding director of the Science in Society research center at Northwestern He brings expertise in informal STEM education, curricular development, teacher professional development, and mentoring. He served a two-year term on the National Academies Teacher Advisory Council, a national body charged with bringing the wisdom of practice to matters of national policy. Mike’s undergraduate degree is in Chemistry from St. John’s University (go Johnnies!) and his doctorate is from the Mayo Clinic.
Kathleen Rentz
Master Teacher, Chicago Public Schools
Kathy taught in Chicago Public Schools for 35 years. She has a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction with endorsements in ESL, Gifted, Language Arts, and Social Science. She is an alumna of Science in Society’s Science Club Summer Camp NGSS training (2018) and ESTELE (2024). Now retired from the classroom, Kathy is a Professional Learning Specialist in CKLA with Amplify. She also works alongside Kennedy and Don training Boys & Girls Club staff how to implement high-quality STEM learning approaches in their afterschool programs.
FAQ and Application Criteria
Eligibility
At this time, ESTELE is limited to K-5 teachers in Chicago Public Schools. In the future, we plan to offer the program more broadly.
Required NGSS training and classroom experience
ESTELE deepens and extends teachers’ understanding of and skills in NGSS pedagogy. Accordingly, ESTELE applicants should have completed prior NGSS training of at least 15 hours including theory, classroom strategies, and evaluation. Applicants should also have at least one year of classroom implementation experience.
Stipend
ESTELE teachers will receive $3,000 stipend, paid in two installments. $2,250 will be paid at the completion of summer training, with another $750 paid following academic year implementation.
Training dates for Spring & Summer 2025
ESTELE has two training components: a spring three-day Teacher Leader Institute, and co-leading a summer three-week practicum (Science Club Summer Camp).
Teacher Leader Institute – 3 days
- April 22-23: Advanced NGSS pedagogy and evaluation, leadership principles, peer coaching
- May 22, 2025: Summer practicum training methods, curricular deep dive
Science Club Summer Camp Practicum – three, 4-day weeks
In this phase, you will work alongside NU experts to train, support, and coach a cohort of 3rd-grade teachers new to NGSS as they learn the Skyline curriculum and practice implementation at a Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago summer camp.
- Session 1: June 23 – July 17 (Week of June 30 off) – Skyline 3rd grade Environments and Survival
- Session 2: July 21 – August 7 – Skyline 3rd grade Balancing Forces
You may apply for both sessions but can participate in only one. Being available for either practicum session will increase your odds of being selected.
Consent Information
.ESTELE is an educational research program funded by the National Institutes of Health. The program is designed to test a practicum-based, scalable model for teacher leader professional development.
To participate in ESTELE, teachers must agree to complete surveys and interviews, as outlined in our consent document.
Click here to view the consent document.
Principal Support
Effective teacher leaders have strong support and buy-in from their school administrators. That’s why we confirm with your principal, prior to enrollment, that this support is in place.
Specifically, your principal must agree to provide you with release time during the year to train and lead a small group of teachers (e.g. 2-3) as they learn NGSS teaching strategies.