My name is Andy Losik, and I want to share all of the insight and resources I have developed over the course of my 30-year career in education. For the last 8 years, I was an elementary STEM teacher and it was quite the adventure. If you, your school, or your district is looking for help when it comes to launching or spicing up your STEM or tech integration program, please reach out today. The first consultation is always free as we talk about how I might be able to help you. Please reach out today.
Sometime in early May of 2016, my elementary technology teaching partner and I were asked to attend a meeting with the superintendent. Were new iPads on the way to join our current fleet of MacBooks? Were interactive boards coming to each school? Were we getting new video equipment? Nope. Nope. Nope.
We were informed that the program that the two of us had founded in the fall of 2000 was coming to an end. To begin the 2016-17 school year, we would be teaching STEM in our Young Fives to 4th-grade buildings. We weren't given any curriculum or budgets, guidelines or clear expectations. The administration was placing their trust in us. Now, that's nothing to downplay because it's actually quite rare when teachers are given a blank slate and trust to build something on their own. We had done the same thing 16 years ago and had built an award-winning program. We were determined to do the same thing with STEM...and it was hard.
It's amazing how many other STEM teachers I meet online who are currently in that same spot where I was 8 years ago. Through it all, I gained a ton of insight on what and what not to do, how essential creating a classroom culture for innovation is, and where to source free and cheap materials.
I have an extensive history of providing professional development going back to the mid 1990s. I have been recognized as a Google Certified Innovator, Apple Distinguished Educator, and have worked with companies like The National Football League and Sony on their educational initiatives.
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