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Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellows named

Governor Mitch Daniels announced the newest group of Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellows monday.  The 54 new members will soon be included in the ranks of Indiana’s math and science teachers.

The program recruits recent college graduates and career changers with backgrounds in science, technology, engineering and math.  The fellows receive money to complete a master’s degree program at one of four Indiana universities: Purdue, IUPUI, the University of Indianapolis and Ball State.  The recipients also commit to teaching in high-need Indiana schools for three years. 

Governor Daniels says more than 100 fellows are now teaching in Hoosier schools.

“All but one are still teaching and apparently many will continue on well beyond their commitment which shows you something about the way in which this program attracts and then fortifies the enthusiasm of some great people.”

More than half of the 2012 fellows group are college seniors graduating this year.  While 38% are career changers who finished their undergraduate degrees more than five years ago. 

J.J. Rode is one of the newest fellows who will study at Purdue. She worked for years as a biologist helping farmers raise fish.  And when her fisheries job was eliminated, she went to teach biology at Ivy Tech Community College.  Rode says getting the opportunity to participate in the fellows program is one of the best things that’s ever happened to her.

“Being able to work in a school where I’m really needed and where my schools at doing a lot with hardly anything will hopefully be useful – that’s what I’m really looking for.”

Of the 104 fellows that have been placed in Indiana schools since the program began in 2009, all but one are still teaching.  Rode says she plans to teach for the rest of her career. 

The Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellows at Purdue are:

Aaron Edwards, Albion, IN

• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Indiana Institute of Technology ’02, civil engineering

•Graduate institution and degree: Grace Theological Seminary ’10, M.A. (cultural studies)

Former private sector design engineer, construction industry; regional director and project manager for international service organization in Central Asia (Uzbekistan, Tajikistan); peer mentor; substitute teacher; coach, middle school boys’ basketball.

 

Emily Fero, Kennett Square, PA

• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Villanova University ’09, mathematics

Dean’s list student; mentor for high school robotics team; academic tutor, math; after-school volunteer, middle school students; Sunday school teacher; former photography assistant.

 

Laura Heverly, Floyds Knobs, IN

• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Purdue University ’12, civil engineering

Undergraduate researcher, energy efficiency in Habitat for Humanity homes; ambassador for Purdue civil engineering program; coach and player, high school girls’ soccer; Habitat for Humanity volunteer; former track athlete.

 

Rebecca McCarthy, Eads, TN

• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology ’12, mathematics

Campus math tutor; NSF-funded undergraduate researcher in math; dean’s list student, member, math honorary society, multiple academic award winner; avid crafter and knitter.

 

Brooke Mix, Westfield, IN

• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Carthage College ’12, biology

College lab assistant; undergraduate researcher, innovative arthritis treatment for dogs; dean’s list student, member of college athletics honor roll; high school peer tutor; counselor, children’s summer learning camp; assistant to high school athletics trainer; college athlete (golf, rugby, basketball).

 

Joyce (J.J.) Newman Rode, West Lafayette, IN

• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Evergreen State College ’82, environmental science

Graduate college, and degree: Auburn University, M.S. ’90, Ph.D. courses (fisheries/aquaculture) Aquaculturist and fisheries expert for three decades; instructor/trainer for fish farmers, five states and three African countries; environmental educator; published co-author of several journal articles; local community college instructor; owner/operator of small farm and herbal products business.

 

Jennifer Schall, Fort Wayne, IN

• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Earlham College ’92, biology; Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne ’13, psychology

Graduate coursework: Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, marriage/family therapy, school counseling Substitute teacher; outdoor science school instructor; education specialist, children’s science and technology museum; community relations coordinator, wetlands preservation project; reading corps coordinator; certified crisis intervention trainer.

 

Samantha Schwartz, Urbana, IL

• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Valparaiso University ’12, physics/mathematics

Undergraduate researcher, physics; physics department grader/tutor; physics merit scholarship recipient; honors student, academic award winner, nominee to physics honors society; longtime babysitter and Sunday school teacher; flautist, university orchestra, and co-founder/president of campus flute choir.

 

Monique Simpson, Stafford, VA

• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Hampton University ’12, mathematics

College and middle-school math tutor; instructor in summer math camp for Native American students; dean’s list student and member of honor societies; president of campus gospel choir; volunteer teacher for church youth.

Brandon Smith is excited to be working for public radio in Indiana. He has previously worked in public radio as a reporter and anchor in mid-Missouri for KBIA Radio out of Columbia. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, Illinois as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, Missouri, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.