School and Community Summer 2024

Science Teacher Honored Ryne Emerick, a science teacher at Lebanon High School, is one of five recipients of

Northwestern’s Schapiro Award. Seniors at the university were given the opportunity to nominate their former high school teachers from around the world for their professional

and personal commitment to students. The awards carry a stipend of $5,000 for each teacher and $5,000 for each of their high schools. Below is an excerpt from Northwestern’s press release. Emily Lester, now a senior in the School of Education and Social Policy (SESP), remembers asking her high school science teacher Ryne Emerick why he transformed study hall once a week into “Waffle Wednesday.” Emerick said that he knew the camaraderie of making and enjoying waffles together would pay off and that students would be more comfortable having conversations about science and asking tough questions. Lester took many of Emerick’s values and lessons with her to Northwestern. “Mr. Emerick’s teaching untraditional ways of learning and creating the conditions to learn from failure has impacted how I view my college experience and my work throughout SESP.” Seeking ways to create community and elevate learning, Emerick transformed an underused computer lab at the rural Lebanon High School in Missouri into research laboratory space. The new science research program would become a pathway for students at all levels of science education to explore their own research questions. When he read about students at a neighboring, wealthier school district participating in science competitions, Emerick asked, “Why not our kids too?” He worked with professionals in the private sector, professors and lab scientists to design a program supporting students with limited resources. The class began with just six students entering state competitions and eventually resulted in students placing at international competitions and regularly communicating with professors and other experts in their fields. “Creativity is the heart of our program at Lebanon High School in that it provides students with the opportunity to drive their scientific research projects and create unconventional pathways for students,” Emerick said. “By empowering our students to take ownership of their research, they develop skills such as critical thinking, problem solving and communication.” As she approaches graduation at Northwestern, Lester fondly remembers “Waffle Wednesdays” and the opportunities Emerick provided to learn in untraditional ways. — This article was first published by Northwestern.

Students Advocate to DESE for Awareness Week Many areas of education are rightfully recognized by DESE such as special education, counselors, school lunch heroes, etc. to raise awareness about the importance of their impact in Missouri’s public schools. However, my gifted students and I noticed that DESE did not recognize Gifted Education Awareness Week on their special days and events calendar. This made my students feel forgotten and overlooked, so we decided to advocate to the Missouri State School Board to add Gifted Education Awareness Week to the DESE calendar. My elementary gifted students learned the art of persuasion using ethos, logos and pathos, then used those persuasion strategies to create an eBook persuading DESE to declare Gifted Education Awareness Week. After their book was completed, students composed a formal email to the Missouri State School Board, including a link to their eBook. We are happy to announce that our advocacy efforts paid off! DESE now includes Gifted Education Awareness Week on the DESE calendar as the second full week of February. We hope this inspires school districts across the state to celebrate and bring awareness to the needs of gifted learners! — Phoebe Pohlman (Perry County School District 32)

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