Ms. McGann selected as one of 20 fellows in LEAD STEM
Kari McGann, Flem/Rar Superintendent, selected as one of 20 fellows in LEAD STEM
Kari McGann, Superintendent of Schools in Flemington-Raritan Regional School District in New Jersey, has been selected as one of 20 fellows in LEAD STEM, a national leadership development experience. Over the coming year, McGann will be educated on critical skills to impact current local learning opportunities while shaping the global future of education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
McGann was the lead for one of New Jersey’s four STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) ecosystems before joining Flemington-Raritan as the Superintendent of Schools. She continues to support New Jersey's four STEM ecosystems. Her work supports pathways to further science, technology, engineering, and mathematics learning, ensuring that all students have access to high-quality STEM opportunities. She collaborates with many partners in higher-education, industry, local and state legislature, and community members to focus on STEM opportunities.
A tireless advocate for excellence in public education, McGann is a national speaker, most recently at the U.S. News and World Report in Washington, D.C. with Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker from Legislative District 16, which includes Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset counties. She was also named a K-12 Chinese Bridge Delegate with the College Board for collaboration between China and the United States in 2015. McGann is researching the impact of STEM opportunities created for students on New Jersey’s workforce gap in STEM.
LEAD STEM is an initiative of the STEM Learning Ecosystem Community of Practice, a collaborative movement of 68 STEM Learning Ecosystems made up of hundreds of after-school STEM organizations, thousands of school districts serving millions of students, hundreds of businesses and industries and dozens of community colleges and universities.
Adding to the program’s strength, LEGO® Education is joining as a lead sponsor to support and encourage the fellows as they ignite a passion for STEM learning in students.
Gerald Solomon, executive director of the Samueli Foundation and co-founder of the STEM Learning Ecosystem Community of Practice, explained the value of the program. “LEAD STEM is bringing together leaders with varied backgrounds who can shine a light on different aspects of education and design learning experiences and systems that equip our youth to solve the immense global challenges of today and tomorrow.”
Jan Morrison, president of the Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM and a founder of the STEM Learning Ecosystem Community of Practice, explained that the training that LEAD STEM fellows receive is unique. “LEAD STEM is carefully identifying leaders, engaging them in a national network of likeminded individuals who are actively working to successfully connect STEM education with the workforce needs in our country, and arming them with tools and support to make a significant impact this year,” she said.
McGann will carefully map and execute a strategy to address a community-based educational need or growth opportunity. McGann will work with other constituents in the New Jersey STEM Pathways Network and its four STEM Learning Ecosystems – Delran (Burlington County), Liberty (Hudson County), Newark, and South Jersey STEM & Innovation Partnership (Camden, Cumberland, and Salem Counties) bringing in Hunterdon County– to work together for more significant impact. National LEAD STEM faculty and mentors will guide the work through strategic planning and the identification of measurable goals and outcomes.
“New Jersey needs leaders in education that are driven to provide opportunities for all students in STEM, especially girls and students of color, to ultimately build New Jersey's STEM workforce. LEAD STEM brings national leaders together in an interconnected, collaborative effort of a community working towards a shared vision,” said Kari McGann, LEAD STEM.