Professional Development for Secondary School Teachers and Educational Professionals in STEM Fields

Abstract

Rural communities are geographically isolated and have limited access to specialized services and ongoing support from content educational experts. As a result, rural school districts across the nation face many challenges related to the recruitment, retention, and professional development for their teachers. Studies have reported that rural school districts experience a shortage of specialized teachers and it is likely that rural school teachers will teach in content areas outside of their area of expertise. Finding mathematics and science teachers is a constant challenge. In response, we developed the Professional Development for Secondary School Teachers and Educational Professionals (PD-STEP) into STEM Fields Model, which utilizes research-based lessons aligned with curriculum standards and purposefully centered on (a) agricultural mathematics, science, and technology knowledge and skills; (b) specific needs of English language learners; and (c) indigenous, authentic agricultural topics through field-based experiences for teachers. The PD-STEP into STEM Fields Model encompasses the development of a lesson plan template and lesson topics that incorporate teachers’ professional development training on food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences. These professional development activities explore opportunities available in the career paths described by the United States Department of Agriculture and engender resource-rich partnerships among university faculty and rural school teachers.