In 2023, with the support of the Siegel Family Endowment, STEMteachersNYC launched the Summer STEM Fellows program. This initiative tasked the 2023 Siegel STEM Fellows with deepening our understanding of how professional learning benefits STEM educators and helps them grow in their teaching practice. Their mission focused on identifying workshops that foster trust among participants, build lasting communities, and celebrate the collective wisdom in the room, resulting in meaningful growth for all educators involved.
We were proud to continue this important work this summer with a new cohort of six 2024 Siegel STEM Fellows. These dedicated educators took on the challenge of looking beyond just the value created during professional development workshops. They sought to uncover how that value was built—by investigating the processes that foster trust, community, and the sharing of collective wisdom.
As part of their journey, the Fellows attended and led various workshops, meeting bi-weekly to share observations and insights. Through this, they explored how professional development impacts the STEM education landscape. Here are some key observations from their analysis:
Learning Environments that Value and Promote All Expertise
One of the most significant findings was that the most impactful workshops positioned every participant as an expert, not just the leaders. “Workshops are designed so facilitators act as coaches rather than traditional presenters,” said one Fellow. The workshops became two-way learning environments where participants and leaders learned together, developed their practices, and supported one another. This structure fostered rich conversations, filled with diverse ideas and solutions that met the specific needs of the educators present.
“One of the greatest strengths of these workshops,” another Fellow noted, “is the emphasis on participant-driven learning. Workshop leaders create spaces where teachers can collaborate, share ideas, and construct their understanding.” This approach empowered participants to focus on topics most relevant to their teaching context, making the experience far more personalized and valuable.
Shifting Mindsets: From Deficit Thinking to Continuous Growth
The 2024 Fellows also observed that many workshops promoted positive mindset shifts, encouraging teachers to move away from deficit thinking and focus on continuous improvement. For example, sessions like STEM Visions for School Leaders and Standards-Based Grading fostered discussions on strengths-based approaches, encouraging participants to identify potential partnerships and solutions to challenges.
“We had the opportunity to brainstorm innovative approaches to common issues with colleagues at various career stages,” one Fellow shared. “It was rejuvenating, especially when compared to the more defeatist attitudes often found within one’s school. By concentrating on existing capabilities, we can drive meaningful change.”
In this supportive environment, teachers were encouraged to explore new strategies, collaborate on solutions, and highlight the strengths they brought to their practice. This collective wisdom was a source of both comfort and motivation for participants.
A Collaborative Future for STEM Education
The 2024 Siegel STEM Fellows’ work underscored the immense value of professional learning environments that promote collaboration, trust, and shared leadership. As the Fellows continue to explore how these elements are nurtured in workshops, STEMteachersNYC remains committed to offering professional development that empowers educators to grow together and bring their collective wisdom to the classroom.