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Science Endorsement Scholarship Opportunities Available!

Success of Math Endorsement Academy Creates Science Endorsement Opportunities

Fifty certified K-12 teachers in our region have an exciting opportunity to earn a science endorsement at no cost, thanks to the Washington State Higher Education Board, the Professional Educator Standards Board, Seattle University (SU) and Puget Sound ESD (PSESD). Modeled after the successful math endorsement academy created through a partnership with Renton School District and Seattle University, the science academy will allow teachers to earn their endorsement after a year-long intensive 20-credit post-baccalaureate program followed by completion of the WEST-E exam.

This year’s Science Endorsement Academy focuses on biology. Cohorts in Renton and Fife will meet for class one evening each week. The courses, taught by Seattle University professors and some of the best practicing teachers in our region, will cover all of the competencies required for a biology endorsement. Professors will also model instructional strategies that work in science classrooms.

This academy is unique in that the instructional materials are jointly designed by SU professors, PSESD, and area districts, ensuring that the content is relevant to local requirements and objectives. The small cohort size provides a collaborative study environment, resulting in highly qualified teachers who are grounded in the pedagogy and content needed to succeed.

Launched four years ago in the Renton School District, the Math Endorsement Academy was designed to address a shortage of math teachers in the area. The academy was expanded in 2008 by PSESD to all teachers in our region.

This year, 50 teachers will have the opportunity to earn their science endorsement and 100 teachers will have the opportunity to earn their math endorsement through the grant.

Kathy Webster, a math teacher at Cascade Middle School
(Highline SD), earned both her middle level and secondary math endorsements through the academy. “Teachers need to have an expertise in content,” says Kathy, “and it is equally important to know how students think about the subject so we can anticipate their misconceptions and press them with good questions if they don’t understand something. Because my math content knowledge is so much deeper now, I can think more clearly about how students are thinking about mathematics, which can help me differentiate instruction and meet their needs.”

Scholarships Available for Science Endorsement Academy!
Due to the Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board grant and a generous scholarship funded by the Professional Educator Standards Board, all costs can be covered at no charge to the participant. To qualify, the teacher must be certified and commit to teach in the endorsed areas for two years after the initial year of study and passing of the WEST-E exam. As part of the two-year commitment, teachers must also participate in a professional learning community and classroom observations in the third year.

Teachers who wish to earn the endorsement credits without the 3-year commitment can earn the credits for $125 each.

This year’s Math Endorsement Academies are already underway, but the Science Endorsement Academy begins in January and there are still a limited number of spaces available. For more information or to register, contact Craig Bowman at PSESD by January 4th, 425-917-7849, 253-778-7849 or cbowman@psesd.org.

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