STEM teachers like Jermaine Simpson teaches computer classes that he hopes will help students use all their resources without becoming “detached from the world.” Meanwhile, Chivon Smith accepted “the challenge to help kids fall in love with science” by engaging in authentic learning. Both are teaching classes where students begin with stereotypes and assumptions.
In an interview with the Black Wall Street Times, Chivon Smith started her journey seven years ago. She “fell in love” with giving her students the chance to say “‘I used to hate science, but I love your class.’”
Smith noticed a limit to the flexibility middle school science teachers have, and when she became the department chairwoman at (then) Star Spencer Mid High School in a rural community just outside of Oklahoma City, she focused on “inspirational” professional development for teachers.
Smith said she prioritized the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) conference to “use science to inspire adults who can inspire kids.” She and new teachers in her department attended sessions where students presented on physics and other STEM subjects.
STEM teachers bring tech resources to the classroom
Smith used resources from the Future Health Science Partnership Program to create more hands-on lessons and field trips for her students. She encouraged their perfect attendance and many students who reached that goal were African American boys. Smith is now the lead biology and anatomy teacher, and science department chairwoman at Douglass High School in Oklahoma City. This is her fourth year as chairwoman.
Meanwhile, Jermaine Simpson is in his second year teaching computer science at Choctaw High School, another community outside of Oklahoma City. He told the Black Wall Street Times his students “fell in love with coding, gaming.” He has taught introductory computer applications classes for nine years.
Choctaw High School has just added the more in-depth elective, computer science. The applications classes teach systems like Microsoft and Google Suites. Simpson said, “our covid kids” enter his new class interested in gaming or building websites for their own businesses, music, or films.
These students were in elementary school during the pandemic, and that changed their relationship with technology. He said he wants to see them “use it to [their] best benefit,” for ready information.
Simpson is aware of the potential “addiction” and social impact of constant technology use. He said, “I still think human interaction is needed.” Students can become “impersonal” if they “have forgotten the basics.” Simpson intentionally creates assignments where students present their work, and lead or interact on teams.
Prioritizing tech education for the future
Not all of the students come to Simpson’s class to learn to code video games. Some choose the elective simply because they don’t like their other choices.
However Simpson noticed that Black girls, though outnumbered, have mostly come to the class with a long-term plan. He said “the females I do have… are highly intelligent and focused.” He said he has heard them planning to join the military and use the G.I. Bill to learn cyber security at college.
Sometimes, the motivated students help their classmates see potential in technology for their future. Simpson said Choctaw High School is prioritizing this technological focus, even in their building plans. He said these types of classes should be offered to students even younger.
Real-world experience
Chivon Smith also said students should be able to follow what interests them. She said “there’s such a misconception of” the sciences. People think you must be a “‘brainiac,’ or ‘genius’” but she said having a focus makes the sciences easier to understand.
Once she created her hands-on, applicable lesson structure Smith’s classes have gotten a reputation for being good. She noticed many “young ladies interested [in] health sciences like nursing” and medical fields like radiology, pediatrics, and respiratory therapy. She said her “boys focused more heavily in physics and engineering.” Both schools she has taught at serve predominantly Black populations.
Smith noted that “science teaches people how to think” so its processes are used in all subject matter. Simpson said because vocational technology programs have been “[taken] out of high schools,” classes like his need to remain.
He said students are “going to have to deal with technology in some form or fashion.” He wants his students to understand when they are younger “the multiple ways that they could use it to actually create a career.”
Both teachers benefit from past and current students sharing their interests with friends increasing enthusiasm and enrollment.