CMS teacher highlighted in national report

Cheney Middle School science teacher Tammie Schrader was recently profiled in Hope Street Group's new report, "Engaging Teachers in Policy Development." According to an April 22 news release, Schrader, a PhD candidate and an advocate of STEM learning, is involved in an ongoing policy project to develop computer-coding curriculum for local students. The initiative is part of her policy engagement work as a Hope Street Group (HSG) National Teacher Fellow.

Schrader, one of 12 fellows selected for the 2013 cohort, is designing new curriculum in close partnership with the Washington State Department of Education and Code.org. As an adjunct to curriculum, Schrader also helped Eastern Washington University facilitate a mentoring program to help her students learn to code. She is passionate about expanding STEM-centric coursework, and the ultimate goal of her project is to make computer coding more accessible to Washington youth.

"I recommend that all teachers learn about policy and how to impact policy from the beginning of their teacher tenure," Schrader said. "Every teacher should be exposed to local, state, and federal legislation and learn that they have the power to positively influence change through hard work and perseverance."

In her year as a fellow, Schrader successfully laid the groundwork for the new curriculum, and looks forward to continuing to work on this project. She will travel to Washington, May 8, to discuss her work and experiences with federal policymakers.