糖心Vlog

As director of scientific research at Effingham College and Career Academy (ECCA), 糖心Vlog alumna Michelle Thompson, Ed.D., (鈥�00,鈥�05,鈥�11) is constantly looking for ways to challenge and encourage the creative growth of her students and has found that her alma mater can help. ECCA is a ninth through 12th grade charter program school that serves Effingham County high schools. Students from both Effingham and South Effingham high schools attend classes and earn professional certifications and credentials in nursing, allied health, sports medicine, engineering, robotics, web design, computer science, culinary arts, automatic technology and maintenance and logistics. Thompson works with students completing the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) research program, a four-course sequence that requires students to conduct both individual and group interdisciplinary research assignments. 鈥淲hat is neat about what I get to do is that it really takes someone who has had experience in multiple science disciplines to be able to run an interdisciplinary research course,鈥� said Thompson. After teaching science in the classroom for more than 15 years, Thompson has a multitude of educational experience. She completed a bachelor鈥檚 in kinesiology from Georgia Southern, with intentions to pursue a career in sports medicine or cardiac rehabilitation. Thompson worked at a cardiology office running stress tests and conducting patient education, until a patient suggested she should be a educator. 鈥淪he told me I had what it took to be a teacher,鈥� Thompson remembered. 鈥淚t kind of stuck with me, and the more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea.鈥� At 23, Thompson landed her first teaching job at a private school in her hometown of Savannah, Georgia. 鈥淏eing at a small private school, I had to teach a variety of science classes,鈥� she explained. 鈥淚 taught everything–biology, chemistry, physical science, and I even taught a medicinal magnet class. It made me very well rounded in content.鈥� During that time, she also earned a master鈥檚 in broadfield science education from Armstrong State University to gain professional certification. Thompson then moved to Jenkins High School in Savannah where she taught Advanced Placement Chemistry for eight years. It was there that she met and collaborated with Georgia Southern College of Education鈥檚 (COE) Kania Greer, Ed.D., and Bob Mayes, Ph.D. Greer, the coordinator of the College鈥檚 Institute for Interdisciplinary STEM Education (i2STEMe) and Mayes, former director of the Institute and current COE faculty member, partner with schools in the region that assist with STEM education resources and curriculum. 鈥淒r. Thompson is someone who is willing to challenge herself as a teacher and get out of her comfort zone in STEM education,鈥� said Greer. 鈥淲e have worked with her on a multitude of projects from classroom support, to providing faculty expertise or helping to make connections with other STEM industries or professionals.鈥� From those experiences, Thompson realized what a vital asset Georgia Southern could be–not just for furthering her education, but also partnering with her to provide unique learning opportunities to her students. Faculty from various colleges and departments of Georgia Southern have provided assistance to Thompson鈥檚 students, who look to find solutions to some of the world鈥檚 biggest energy, water and infrastructure crises. Once their projects are completed, students have been invited to present their research at the University鈥檚 Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching and Learning Conference and other venues. 鈥淭his partnership is mutually beneficial for i2STEMe,鈥� said Greer. 鈥淲hen Dr. Thompson has a question or wants to see if there is something we can help with, she picks up the phone and asks. She also brings her students to participate in our STEM Experiences each semester. We support each other.鈥� The partnership with Georgia Southern, she believes, gave her an edge over other candidates for her current directorship at ECCA. 鈥淲hat set me apart from other candidates was my connection with Georgia Southern,鈥� she explained. 鈥淏y showcasing my collaboration, it helped me solidify this job. I have not only an academic connection to the University, but also a professional connection with the STEM Institute and the College of Education as well.鈥� Georgia聽Southern聽University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research institution founded in 1906, offers 141 degree programs serving more than 27,000 students through nine colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and online instruction. A leader in higher education in southeast聽Georgia, the聽University聽provides a diverse student population with expert faculty, world-class scholarship and hands-on learning opportunities.聽Georgia Southern聽creates lifelong learners who serve as responsible scholars, leaders and stewards in their communities. Visit聽.