More than a third of new science teachers are thinking about leaving the profession, but one association has launched an academy seeking to retain them.
The National Science Teacher Association, which conducted this survey, has selected a Baltimore City science teacher as one of 200 middle and high school science teachers nationwide to participate in the New Science Teacher Academy.
Emily Jagusch, a teacher at Hamilton Middle School, was one of three Maryland teachers picked to complete a free, yearlong Web-based training seminar and attend the Conference on Science in March.
In her second year teaching physical science and earth and space science to eighth-graders, Jagusch concedes that teaching in an urban school district comes with its share of challenges.
Students are often distracted with violence, drugs, gangs and broken families. Educators say they feel the increased pressure to prepare students for state tests. And some students, Jagusch said she was surprised to learn, lacked the basic knowledge of what glaciers and millimeters are.
But Jagusch, 31, says she loves seeing her students get excited about learning. Students couldn?t wait to test out their solar ovens and heat marshmallows for s?mores. They enthusiastically swabbed the school?s phones and bathrooms to grow bacteria in Petri dishes. Their fogginess about measurements grew clearer when Jagusch taught yards using football analogies.
“Most people forget whatit?s like to be a 13-year-old,” she said.
“They like hands-on activities and labs. Worksheets aren?t as effective.”
A study by University of Pennsylvania Professor Richard Ingersoll found that nearly 40 percent of science teachers are thinking about abandoning the profession.
“Teachers felt isolated, overwhelmed and not prepared,” said Joe Sciulli, the association?s professional development director.
The two other Maryland teachers chosen to participate in the program are Roseann Brady of Roberto Clemente Middle School in Germantown, and Amanda Richardson of Glenwood Middle School in Glenwood.
