Clarkston resident Chelsea Robinson is among 63 Georgia teaching Fellows selected by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. Robinson, a 2007 graduate of DeKalb County’s Stephenson High School, is studying for her master’s of art degree in teaching and mathematics with a concentration in STEM at Mercer University.
“I believe the program is going to really prepare us for the classroom. As a Fellow, I’m especially looking forward to working with a mentor for the next three years,” said Robinson.
Gov. Nathan Deal introduced the 2017 fellows at an event on June 29.
“Sandra and I are honored to welcome this third class of Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellows into the program,” said Deal, acknowledging his wife, Sandra, a proponent of education. “Georgia has earned many accolades over the past several years, and none of them would be possible or sustainable without our leaders in the classroom. This program creates a pipeline of dedicated math and science teachers to the schools that need them the most, and we wish the best of luck to this year’s class.”
The highly competitive program recruits both recent graduates and career changers with strong backgrounds in science, technology, engineering, and math—the STEM fields—and prepares them specifically to teach in high-need secondary schools.
Each Fellow receives $30,000 to complete a specially designed, cutting-edge master’s degree program based on a year-long classroom experience. In return, Fellows commit to teach for three years in the urban and rural Georgia schools that most need strong STEM teachers. Throughout the three-year commitment, Fellows receive ongoing support and mentoring.
Founded in 1945, the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation identifies and develops the nation’s best minds to meet its most critical challenges. The Foundation supports its Fellows as the next generation of leaders shaping American society. Through the program, the Foundation will contribute to the University System of Georgia’s initiative to produce 20,000 new teachers by 2020. Woodrow Wilson is administering the program, with in-state coordination by the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education (GPEE) and support from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation. Current project funding is $13.7 million.