Joe Childers is the principal of Atkins High School in Winston-Salem. He is a leader in bridging technology and the classroom. By empowering teachers through professional development and establishing partnerships with business and community leaders, Childers has lead innovation efforts to integrate STEM into the school’s curriculum.
Atkins High School Principal Joe Childers Acknowledged for STEM Excellence
28 April 2014
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – The North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education (SMT) Center CEO and President Dr. Samuel Houston announced that Atkins High School Principal Joe Childers is the 2014 winner of the SMT Center’s K-16 Administrator of the Year Award. This award recognizes a N.C. education administrator who excels at improving STEM education in North Carolina.
Mr. Childers is a leader in bridging technology and the classroom. By empowering teachers through professional development and establishing partnerships with business and community leaders, Childers has lead innovation efforts to integrate STEM into the school’s curriculum.
According to Kimberly Lane Marion, STEM Instruction Coach for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, Mr. Childers is a leader who has a personal vision for “excellence, but one founded on the principles of collaboration, integrity, honesty, support and inclusion.”
As a champion of professional development for teachers, he has supported programs on design process and mobile learning communities. Teachers have participate in 30 hours of online professional development and another 18 hours of face-to-face training to implement mobile learning communities thereby infusing technology directly into the classroom and lessons.
“Atkins has undergone a significant transformation under Mr. Childers’ leadership,” said Susan Hemphill, president of the Parent Teacher Student Association. “He has inspired the staff to advance their training and explore new areas of growth.”
Childers is also praised for his efforts recruiting female students in STEM activities. In November 2013, Atkins hosed a “Women in STEM” conference and had 50 participants from across the district meet with women STEM professionals.
Childers is the first building-level principal to receive the award in its seven-year history.
The criteria for the award include not only supporting STEM education by supporting teachers and providing quality resources, but also creating an “environment that fosters innovative teaching and learning.”
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