Welcome to It’s Time for Science! For our first episode of 2024, host Tom Racine continues our conversation on equity in science education! Tom talks with Meagan Sternberg, a K-12 Science Instructional Coach in Oregon, and Channon Jackson, a Program Director at the Alameda County Office of Education.
Episode Summary
Tom discusses with Ms. Sternberg and Ms. Jackson how their work supports equity, access, and inclusion in the science classroom and why this is an important focus for them. They discuss what is needed to provide more equitable science teaching and learning and what they would advise educators and leaders to do to center equity in their systems.
We end the episode with a few words from Diana B. Vélez, author of this month’s Insights article, Access and Equity: Changing How We View and Support All Students.
Episode Guests
Meagan Sternberg
Meagan Sternberg is a K-12 Science Instructional Coach in North Clackamas School District, Milwaukie, Oregon. Sternberg taught middle school science for 16 years at two North Clackamas School District schools. During that time, she developed skills working with adults through professional learning facilitation and state standards implementation.
In 2011, she transitioned into an instructional coach position focused on supporting science teachers as Oregon transitioned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Her focus is now on supporting teachers in implementing curriculum with a focus on effective instructional practices through guiding teacher-leader teams and facilitating professional learning sessions.
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Channon Jackson
Channon Jackson is a Program Director at the Alameda County Office of Education in Hayward, California. As an elementary teacher for 15 years, Ms. Jackson loved teaching science. She became a science lead teacher in the Oakland Unified School District and spent a year working as a science curriculum writer at the Lawrence Hall of Science™.
As a program director, Channon uses her love for students, science, and integration to create supportive professional learning opportunities in her county and throughout the state.
Author of January’s FOSS Insight Article: Diana B. Vélez
Diana B. Vélez is a curriculum developer and professional learning provider for the Full Option Science System Project (FOSS K–8) at the Lawrence Hall of Science. She specializes in English language development and the integration of literacy in science teaching and learning. Ms. Vélez assists in the development and implementation of FOSS instructional materials and creates pedagogical resources that support access and equity.
She also leads professional learning experiences for educators, administrators, families, and community members using FOSS instructional materials to develop scientific literacy, teacher capacity, and systemic change in schools and districts nationwide and internationally. Before coming to the Lawrence Hall of Science, Ms. Vélez was the instructional leader for a science-centered elementary school in Oakland, California, and a founding member and teacher in a Spanish dual-immersion program.
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