The White House on Tuesday announced a new national Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Master Teacher Corps, which will mentor new instructors in those disciplines.
Beginning with 50 top-notch STEM teachers to be established at 50 sites across the country, the program will expand over the next four years to eventually incorporate 10,000 Master Teachers, a White House press release said.
"If America is going to compete for the jobs and industries of tomorrow, we need to make sure our children are getting the best education possible," President Barack Obama said in a statement. "Teachers matter, and great teachers deserve our support."
That support will come in the form of an annual stipend of up to $20,000 tacked onto participating teachers' base salary.
More than 30 districts nationwide have already signaled an interest in joining the multi-year program.
According to the White House's description, Master Teachers are "classroom-based educators who are highly effective in improving learning outcomes for their students, model outsanding teaching, and share their practices and strategies with their professional colleagues to lead and guide improvements across education."
Said instructors have a deep knowledge and interest in their subject, want to improve their craft, and can inspire students and fellow teachers, the release said.
The Teacher Corps plan, based on a President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) recommendation, is meant to grow the profile and strength of America's current STEM program. It also builds on the $5 billion Recognizing Education Success, Professional Excellence, and Collaborative Teaching (RESPECT) Project, which was created to re-envision the 21st Century teaching profession.
When Obama officially launches the STEM Master Teacher Corps, he will provide $1 billion from his 2013 budget request, currently before Congress. Additionally, the administration is dedicating about $100 million of existing Teacher Incentive Fund dollars to help schools implement the STEM program.
Interested STEM teachers must apply by July 27.
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