Montverde Academy is proud to announce that Dr. Caryn Long, Middle School science teacher, has been selected as one of 39 outstanding educators to join the Space Foundation’s Teacher Liaison program in 2020, including six international applicants from India, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. The new Teacher Liaisons will be recognized in March 2020 at the Space Foundation’s 36th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Dr. Long joined MVA this school year, bringing more than 20 years of teaching experience with her. In addition to her teaching experience, she merged her love of teaching with her love of space science by working for NASA for 13+ years conducting workshops for educators, facilitating interaction with scientists and engineers with students of NASA Explorer Schools and managed the operation of NASA’s Digital Learning Network.
The Space Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was founded in 1983 and is the world’s premier organization to inspire, educate, connect, and advocate on behalf of the global space community. The Teacher Liaison program was created in 2004 to positively influence STEM education on an international level, using space-related content to inspire the next generation of astronauts, scientists, engineers, and space pioneers. Teacher Liaisons serve as advocates for STEM education and use training and resources, provided by the Space Foundation, to further integrate space principles into their classrooms, schools, communities, and beyond.
According to the Foundation, these 39 educators were chosen for their active promotion of space, science, and STEM education in the classroom. Each selected class of Teacher Liaisons is called a “Flight” to denote the teachers’ mission as premier Space/STEM educators. A new flight of Teacher Liaisons is selected each December following a rigorous application process, with final selection made by a panel comprised of experienced Teacher Liaisons, and representatives from the space industry and the military. This program is open to public, private, and homeschool teachers, in both informal and formal education, as well as school administrators, principals, specialists, curriculum and instruction developers. The Space Foundation Teacher Liaison program is funded by Lockheed Martin and the Miller-Wood Foundation.
“Dr. Long has been a great addition to our Middle School team, and this honor she has earned will also benefit our students,” said Dr. Kasey C. Kesselring, Headmaster, Montverde Academy. “Her passion for science and drive for continued professional growth is inspiring. The entire Montverde Academy community congratulates Dr. Long on this accomplishment. We look forward to watching how the program unfolds and engage her students in the classroom.”
About Montverde Academy:
Montverde Academy is a private, independent college preparatory school for grades Pre-K3 through post-graduate studies, with a boarding program serving grades 7-12 representing 90+ nationalities. Our mission is to inspire students to become knowledgeable leaders with global vision and passion for learning, in a disciplined and diverse community that nurtures character development. For more information about MVA, visit us online at Montverde.org, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter.
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