At the time of the award, Stephanie Steckler-Hathaway was a science specialist and teacher at Frank Lamping Elementary School in Las Vegas, NV. Thanks to science teacher Stephanie Steckler-Hathaway, student achievement has rocketed skyward at the William McCool Science Center (WMSC), a state-of-the-art facility on the campus of Frank Lamping Elementary School in Henderson. Named after one of the astronauts aboard the space shuttle Columbia, the McCool Center includes exhibits, labs, artifacts and a space shuttle simulator with an accompanying mission control center. As site director, Ms. Steckler-Hathaway plans and organizes extended-day learning programs such as the Young Astronauts Club, overnight field trips and community stargazing events. She received a Title I HOPE (Homeless Outreach Program for Education) Educator's Award for planning, organizing and implementing weekend science camps for Title I students from other schools within the district. Ms. Steckler-Hathaway has won scholarships to several conferences, the knowledge from which has helped her create more innovative programs at the center, including an Air-to- Space Museum, a Paleontology Area and a Tri-Desert Garden. One never knows: her enthusiasm for science and expert instruction may help launch the career of a future William McCool. Stephanie Steckler-Hathaway currently serves as the Director of STEM Implementation for Discovery Education where she works with school districts across the country to plan for implementation of high-quality, engaging STEM professional development and job embedded coaching.
2002 M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction
1999 B.S. Education
