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SCSD Educator to Offer Expertise on National Level
A Simpson County School District educator has recently been selected to offer her input and expertise on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum learned by millions of students across the United States.
Lashauna Ayers, an eighth-grade science teacher at Mendenhall Jr. High School (MJH), was chosen to serve on the Customer Advisory Board (CAB) for Accelerate Learning — a trusted leader in research-based educational and professional development resources in STEM education. She is one of 37 members from across the country selected to join the CAB 2024 team. As an advisor, she will collaborate with other educators and users of Accelerate Learning’s curriculum and its developers to consider ways to improve and innovate current educational materials.
“We are so excited to have Mrs. Ayers represent our school and district on the Accelerated Learning Customer Advisory Board. This will also be an opportunity for her to share how STEMscopes can better support the district in certain areas and how it has been beneficial to us based on the state standards,” said Dr. Maron Lacey, MJH principal. “Mrs. Ayers believes in courageous conversations about science and expects great things from our students. We are very proud of her.”
As a science teacher, Ayers will lend her expertise to Accelerate Learning’s science curriculum known as STEMscopes Science™, an educational program that encourages students to think like scientists by providing opportunities to engage in authentic scientific practices. She will be part of a 12-member team, who will participate in remote online meetings and email inquiries and surveys concerning the science curriculum. In addition to her virtual work, Ayers will also have an opportunity to attend an in-person conference in Houston, Texas this summer, as well as receive a $2,000 stipend at the end of her one-year term.
“I am very excited to serve on the board and to help create resources that will be beneficial to our students in Mississippi,” she said. “Hopefully, by being on the advisory board, I can tell them what works best for our state and come up with resources that will be beneficial for our kids to pass the state exam.”
An avid user of STEMscopes Science™, Ayers said she has seen great results since using the curriculum. At the beginning of the school year, she was recognized for having the highest benchmark scores in science throughout Simpson County School District. Her students are also projected to be more than 50 percent proficient on the Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP).
“I’ve had some very successful scores using STEMscopes; and I feel like no better person can tell you how to write a product than the person that uses it,” said Ayers. “I think this is a steppingstone to where God is wanting me to be. So, I’m very excited to be chosen.”
Ayers is a 2003 graduate of Magee High School. Before becoming a teacher, she was a psychology associate in mental health. She has taught science grades 5-8 for the past six years. Since becoming a teacher, she has served in many leadership roles, such as grade-level and science department chair and a mentor teacher and has also served on a MAAP review committee for the Mississippi Department of Education. Ayers has an extensive background in STEM, general and social sciences, and special education. She has taught and organized the Summer STEM Camp for the Boys and Girls Club of Covington County for the last two years. She holds degrees from Pearl River Community College and William Carey University. She is currently pursuing a specialist in educational leadership to become a principal.
MageeNews.com is an online news source serving Simpson and surrounding counties as well as the State of Mississippi.
