March Newsletter

Dear STOM Members

This is likely my most exciting intro letter I have written as we have some big news. After several years of not being able to find any (not a single one) candidates to take over the STOM leadership, the STOM Board proposed a change in STOM structure to attract and keep strong leadership. This is especially true during a time of great uncertainty when it comes to both education and science in the United States. I have said this before and will say it again....

Let's be honest, during most times STOM is not necessary to the lives of science teachers...until it is! STOM could disappear and science teacher life would move on without much notice. But about 10 years ago our science standards came under attack and STOM leadership stepped in to fight big for science teachers. We were days away from having critical standards like evolution, climate change, and environmental change removed or greatly diminished in Missouri. STOM Leadership spoke with DESE leaders, legislatures, and committee members and helped keep science education alive and well in Missouri. That was all solved and things got quiet and admittedly, STOM was not all that needed. And once again, things change...

As many of you know, science and science education are once again on defense mode. Science funding is being slashed and there are many proposals being considered that could weaken science education or education in general. Once again, STOM is a very important necessary advocate.

I bring this up as for the first time in a long time, we have new elected leadership! And this wasn't done in the way that I am here now: "Mike, nobody will lead STOM, could you fill in?" NO! This was an election with three amazing candidates, which produced the results that you will see below. These are not "fill in" leaders! These are leaders with an incredible record and amazing ideas. This leadership will lead STOM over the next four years and it's going to be amazing!

I will continue to fill in as president until December 31, in which I will then serve as Past President (advisory). Carrie Launius will serve as executive director until December 31 2026. New elected positions start January 1, 2026 but because I have really just been filling in, I have told them both that they can start planning and implementing new ideas as they please with full support.

Mike Szydlowski

STOM President

We asked members to approve a change in STOM structure proposed by the STOM Board. This was done in response to not being able to attract new leaders to STOM. The STOM Board felt that too often, teachers are asked to volunteer for their profession. Since COVID, a national trend has been for teacher to spend less time on optional things and more time at home. This is even more true if teachers are not being properly compensated for their time. The STOM Leadership and Board wholeheartedly supports this trend and believes the days of teachers volunteering to do even more work without compensation should be over. Therefore, the STOM Board put before leadership a change in STOM structure that would provide a modest stipend (similar to what an average high school coach might get) to the President and President Elect of STOM ($5,000 and $2,500). This was overwhelmingly approved by membership at 97% YES to 3% NO. Voter turnout was 23.8% of membership, which was the highest voter turnout in at least 7 years.

Brian Keller is the leader of the St. Louis Science Leaders Consortium (SSLC), where he organized a year’s worth of meetings, events, and professional development opportunities for science leaders, utilizing his network to secure free lunches, expert speakers, and facility tours. The consortium includes science curriculum coordinators and professionals from museums, zoos, and wildlife centers. Brian is also a K-12 Social Studies & Science Curriculum Coordinator at the Webster Groves School District, where he spearheaded a comprehensive evaluation of curriculum, professional development, and equity practices. He is currently implementing action steps based on committee recommendations, including curriculum development with the Missouri Department of Conservation and structuring high school science programming to meet all students’ needs.

With over 15 years of experience in education, Brian began his career as an elementary teacher In Saint Louis Public Schools where he contributed to earning accreditation with distinction, then went on to teach gifted students and coach robotics teams for nine years. He also served as an adjunct professor for robotics at Ranken Technical College. In his role as president of the Missouri Council of the Social Studies in 2023-2024, Brian developed a long-term strategic plan for supporting social studies teachers and led a successful conference that doubled profits and increased membership. Holding a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Saint Louis University and a Master’s in Education and Innovation from Webster University, Brian is committed to improving education through leadership, innovation, and collaboration.

Erin is currently in her 20th year of teaching high school life science. She currently teaches Biology, Dual Credit Biology, and Dual Credit Human Anatomy at Hallsville High School. She has an undergraduate degree in Secondary Science Education from the University of Missouri, and a Master's degree in Biology from Clemson University. She is also an adjunct instructor, teaching Principles of Biology, at Columbia College. Erin has served on the STOM board for numerous years in various positions. She is an advocate for science education and constantly shares her passion and expertise for science teaching. She has presented at numerous conferences including NSTA, Interface, and STOM. Erin is a dedicated professional, constantly seeking ways to improve her teaching through meaningful professional development. She has been a part of many fellowships and education groups. She is a Nourish the Future teacher leader, University of Missouri Wipro fellow, and a ChIP teacher fellow. She is most recently an author of an NGSS storyline sponsored by Midwest Dairy. When not in the classroom, you can find Erin at her daughter's sporting events or traveling the world with students.