[Nashville, Tennessee, May 26, 2022] Women in Technology of Tennessee introduced its K-12 Teacher Grant in October of last year, granting funds to six educators since its introduction.
The WiTT K-12 Teacher Grant is designed to support Middle Tennessee K-12 teachers who are applying innovative ideas in the classroom that foster interest in technology and technology careers. Educators submit funding requests related to professional development programs or requests related to professional development or classroom supplies. WiTT has committed up to $10,000 annually toward the grant and funds are awarded quarterly.
Amanda McBride, Middle School ELA, Science and Social Studies and High School Computer Science teacher at Bedford County Learning Academy, was one of the first recipients of the grant. The funds granted by WiTT were used to purchase Hummingbird Kits for her classroom. These kits allow students to engage with core content and create moving, interactive models that show what they are learning.
“Many of my students struggle with traditional classroom assessment… Not all learners assimilate information the same,” McBride says. “While most may see disability, whether physical, mental, or sensory, as a hindrance, I see it as an opportunity to engage and expand curriculum instruction. STEM has given students who struggle with reading or writing a new way to show their knowledge and build skills they can use in the workforce.”
In addition to providing opportunities for nontraditional learners, McBride ensures that female students understand that Computer Science is also a career for them.
“They [female students] would comment, ‘This is boy stuff,’” McBride says. “They quickly realized that coding is involved in almost all of the things they love from music to gaming. It didn't take long for them to realize they had a place in STEM learning and have never looked back.”
Empowering the next generation of women in technology is part of WiTT’s mission. Since 1999, WiTT has hosted education and networking events, outreach opportunities and scholarship and internship programs that help members contribute to the success of the amazing women in our community. The organization understands the importance of community and equipping women throughout Middle Tennessee to shape the future of technology.
“Supporting K-12 educators is core to WITT’s mission. They have the ability to inform and inspire young girls and women in a way that few others can,” WiTT President Amy Harris says. “We want to help teachers like Amanda by giving them the tools they need to demonstrate that technology isn’t just for boys.”
To learn more about the WiTT K-12 Teacher Grant, visit wittn.org/scholarships. The next deadline for submissions is June 30, 2022.
About Women in Technology of Tennessee
Women in Technology of Tennessee connects women with a community that believes in and advocates for them. Through education, networking, scholarships and community outreach, WiTT promotes women in technology and helps carve a path for the next generation. To learn more about WiTT, visit wittn.org.
