Northrop Grumman selects McKenzie as Teacher Fellow

MADISON – Northrop Grumman has selected Tina McKenzie as a Teacher Fellow.

McKenzie, a science teacher at Endeavor Elementary School, is the only Alabama teacher and one of only 25 in the United States selected to participate as a Teacher Fellow in the 2016-2017 Northrop Grumman Foundation Teachers Academy.

As Alabama’s representative, McKenzie will participate with 24 other educators in numerous science, engineering and technology-related activities and professional learning opportunities.

“These distinguished educators play a critical role in igniting the naturally inquisitive nature of today’s youth,” Sandra Evers-Manly said. She is vice president for Global Corporate Responsibility with Northrop Grumman and President of Northrop Grumman Foundation.

Madison County Schools Superintendent Matt Massey praised McKenzie’s efforts. “Ms. McKenzie is very passionate about teaching our students. She is always looking for new ways to reach students and to grow their love and appreciation of science, technology, engineering and math. We are very proud of her achievements,” Massey said.

The award gives McKenzie the opportunity to broaden her STEM program and get her students even more engaged.

“Now more than ever, we need to assist teachers in developing their industry-specific skills so that they feel more confident to lead lessons that go beyond content coverage and provide students with opportunities to think deeply and make sense of the world around them,” Dr. David Evans said. Evans is Executive Director of National Science Teachers Association.

Fellowship recipients will participate in a five-day workshop at a Northrop Grumman facility during summer 2017. They will discuss teaching strategies for integrating effective and authentic engineering design practices in their classrooms. They are invited to the association’s national conference in Los Angeles in March 2017.

In addition, the fellows will enter an immersive, 80-hour externship at a local Northrop Grumman facility. They will partner with an engineer/technologist to observe and experience critical workforce skills in action. The educators will develop lessons and units for the classroom and develop tools for colleagues.

Launched in 2015, Northrop Grumman Foundation Teachers Academy was established to help enhance teacher confidence and classroom excellence in science, engineering and technology. For more information, visit nsta.org/northropgrumman.