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 (tentatively May X-Y)
- 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 a TLC
- Two institute days, subs provided
- Ongoing NU support
Program Leaders
Maranda Don, MS
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 believes deeply in the magic of mentorship. He is founding director of the Science in Society research center at Northwestern – dedicated to developing world-class STEM learning opportunities for Chicago’s teachers and underserved youth. His undergraduate education was at St. John’s University in Minnesota (go Johnnies!) and his PhD is from the Mayo Clinic. In his spare time he coaches travel hockey, fishes, and enjoys the outdoors with his wife and three children.
Patty Whitehouse, MS
Teacher, NGSS Coach and Curriculum Developer
Patty’s passion for science began when she was a child hiking in Michigan and looking for fossils in Ohio limestone quarries. She has brought her enthusiasm for science to the field of education for over 25 years. Before retiring in 2022, Patty taught science and engineering to 1st- through 4th-grade students at Goudy Technology Academy in Chicago. She believes in tapping into children’s natural curiosity through hands-on creative learning. She is the author of several books introducing science and engineering to elementary school readers. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys reading, spending time with her family, watching eagles and finding fossils.
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 Summer 2024
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 23-24: Advanced NGSS pedagogy and evaluation, leadership principles, peer coaching
- May 8, 2024: 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 17 – July 12 (Juneteenth and the week of July 1 off) – Skyline 3rd grade Environments and Survival
- Session 2: July 15 – Aug 1 – 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.