Booker T. Washington K-8 School celebrated its designation as a STEM Certified School by the National Institute for STEM Education and the STEM certification of five of its teachers today.
Dr. Antonia Ishman, principal, said the certification process started in January 2024, and she is proud of the work of the students and the school’s faculty and staff.
“This required buy-in from the whole school, as well as investment from our community partners,” Ishman said. “At Booker T. Washington K-8, students engage in innovative, challenging, and real-world STEM experiences led by teachers continuously developing their own mastery of STEM practices.”
Throughout the process, the STEM team gathered input from teachers and staff, made data-informed decisions, and pushed various actions executed by teachers to further the school’s STEM goals.
Birmingham City Schools Academic Officer Dr. Pamela Williams said the new STEM certification at Washington K-8 School is an example of the innovative approach to teaching and learning that is being embraced throughout the district.
“Our BCS strategic plan challenges us to raise student achievement throughout the district,” Williams said. “We can reach that goal by engaging students and their families with innovative learning opportunities.”
The school commemorated the occasion with the school’s annual STEM Fair, where students will show off their science, technology, engineering and math skills, followed by a celebratory assembly.
The event included an invocation by Reverend Jackie Pickens, keynote address by guest speaker Dr. Veronique Brown, K12 Outreach Manager at Quanthub, and performances by the drum line and cheer squad.
During the celebration, Principal Dr. Antionia Ishman and Assistant Principal Yancy Williams awarded Jarita Berry, Donald Green, Takayvonte Goines, Vanessa Hayden and April Johnson with plaques for National STEM Teacher Certification from the National Institute for STEM Education. In addition, Kenneth Chamberlin received a plaque for National Certification STEM Excellence from the organization.
The school joins W.J. Christian K-8 School and Bush Hills STEAM Academy as the three STEM-certified schools in the district.