STEM Leadership: How Do I Create a STEM Culture in My School? (ASCD Arias), July/2015

If you want students to be better able to solve problems, interpret data, and understand the world around them, engaging them in the STEM subjects—science, technology, engineering, and math—is the way to go. But supporting a successful STEM program poses special leadership challenges. This guide explains what school leaders can do to improve the quality of STEM education in their buildings. Understand why this approach requires an instructional shift toward more open-ended inquiry and problem solving. Learn ways to help teachers provide rich, rigorous instruction that fosters students' college and career readiness. And discover strategies for developing the community engagement and partnerships that are the hallmark of successful STEM programs.

About the Authors:

Traci Buckner, Director of Specialty Programs for Akron Public Schools, has worked for more than 17 years in the Akron Public School system. After receiving her master's degree in education from John Carroll University, she served as a middle school language arts teacher, a dean of students, an assistant principal, and a principal before becoming the founding instructional leader of the National Inventors Hall of Fame School … Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Learning. Under Mrs. Buckner's leadership, the school distinguished itself as a national exemplar of STEM learning and was featured in Newsweek and on "Perry's Principles," a series that runs on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360°. Mrs. Buckner currently leads Akron Public Schools' efforts to expand STEM best practices throughout the district and to develop and direct innovation efforts in the district's nontraditional schools. She also serves as a founding faculty member of Battelle's Innovative Leaders Institute and was recently honored at the Ohio Black Women's Leadership Caucus's 34th annual Salute to Black Women & Scholarship, with the theme "Women of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Rising Amongst the Stars." She lives with her husband, Tobin, and their two sons. She can be reached at tracibuckner@gmail.com.

Dr. Brian Boyd is an Associate Professor of Mathematics Education at Wright State University (WSU). He served as the Founding Principal of the Dayton Regional STEM School (DRSS) in Dayton, Ohio, and continues to work with the school as the Director of the DRSS Hub and Training Center. Prior to working at WSU and DRSS, Dr. Boyd was a high school mathematics teacher in the Dayton area. He is also the father of three wonderful children. He can be reached at brian.boyd@wright.edu.