March 29, 2024

STEM STAR

Newton High teacher wins prestigious annual award

When Jodi Morgan-Peters found out she’d been chosen as the 2016 winner of one of Iowa’s most prestigious high school STEM teacher awards, she was quick to not take all the credit for herself.

After all, one of the core standards of STEM — or Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics — is working in teams and sharing credit. Morgan-Peters, who has taught science, biology, biomedical science, computer science and engineering at Newton High School since 2006, ended up taking home a coveted and unique trophy, but she said there were many other deserving nominees who could have won it.

At a Des Moines banquet Nov. 9, nine women were given trophies on behalf of the Technology Association of Iowa for excellence and achievement in STEM and several other categories.

“I am truly honored,” Morgan-Peters said. “That is a super-strong group of finalists, and I feel like it’s more an award to all the ladies who work so hard to bring great opportunities to kids.”

NHS teacher Chris Forsyth, who has taken on several leadership tasks in science-teaching fields herself, accepted the award for Morgan-Peters, who had a prior commitment that evening.

NHS Principal Bill Peters said in order for teachers to stay on the cutting edge of their subject, it takes many hours of extra work during their precious spare time, such as nights, weekends and during the summer.

“Jodi’s award is a testament to the hard work and dedication she has displayed,” Peters said. “I am sure she will tell you that the entire staff is dedicated to helping kids succeed in a world that is evolving rapidly. Jodi is committed to opening pathways and exposing our kids to new worlds.”

Morgan-Peters also credits Peters and the Newton school administration, saying his “humongous” support for school administration is critical to the success of any teacher or program.

One of her more recent accomplishments is the development of a Biomedical Sciences class, teaching forensics and other applications of a fast-growing field.

The other women chosen as finalists for the STEM award alongside Morgan-Peters were Amber Pargmann and Heidi Kenkel of John Deere, Kristine Bullock of the University of Iowa, Katherine Harrington of the Business Publications Corporation, Rachel McClung of Workiva Inc. and Jan Newendorp of Cedar Falls High School.

The winners of each award were selected by a panel of judges that is represented by both the cooperate business world, state industry leaders and educators. Michelle Hill of the Waukee APEX work experience program is among the judges.

“She has established connections throughout Iowa, and, literally, around the globe,” Peters said. “Those connections gain exposure for kids at NHS that few other high school age students experience. Our job is to prepare these kids to be problem solvers and critical thinkers. Jodi embodies that spirit and is at the forefront of providing magnificent opportunities for the kids at NHS.”

A 1991 graduate of Iowa State University, Morgan-Peters is a member of several local, state and national education and/or science committees. She has taken summer Project Lead The Way courses in recent years in aerospace engineering, biomedical sciences and human body systems.

Morgan-Peters is also a board member of Empower Tanzania, Inc. The Ames-based organization collects funds and helps organize efforts to aid the agricultural, water-quality and public health efforts in rural Tanzania.

There is much more on the road ahead for Morgan-Peters in her science-education pursuits. The 2017 spring break will involve taking a group of students and adults to Costa Rica, and she recently traveled to Paris, France, to learn the ins and outs of taking a group on an international trip.

Morgan-Peters said adding experiences and skill sets to students’ lives does more than simply pad a list of attributes to be added to a LinkedIn profile or a résumé.

“We’re doing more than helping young people find what they need to be employed in the future,” Morgan-Peters said. “We’re also teaching them to develop skills that will let them market themselves, throughout their state and nationally.”

In the statement Morgan-Peters asked Forsyth to read at the awards event, she described STEM education as a “solution to a growing epidemic of STEM illiteracy” that allows today’s and tomorrow’s children to fix problems handed to them by their ancestors.

Peters said the concepts taught by Morgan-Peters and other Newton science teachers are hardly unique to high school courses like chemistry or biology.

“STEM, and components of it, are embedded into all of our classes,” Peters said. “STEM is critical because we are preparing kids for careers that don’t even exist yet.”

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com