STEM-azing educators: NI STEM Charter teacher earns award for excellence

A Rathdrum teacher is one of two Idaho educators to be honored by the Idaho STEM Action Center and lauded by Gov. Brad Little.

The action center announced Thursday that North Idaho STEM Charter Academy math teacher Jessica LaPresta will receive the 2022 Industry's Excellent Educators Dedicated to STEM awards, or INDEEDS for short, for being a champion of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and for connecting students with industry leaders to mentor projects and provide invaluable career guidance.

A panel of industry experts selected LaPresta as the INDEEDS Awards winner in the seventh- through 12th-grade category, and Caldwell teacher Kristy Rudan as the winner in the kindergarten- through sixth-grade category.

The accolades were announced during the Idaho Technology Council Hall of Fame gala in Boise on Wednesday night.

"Our students need to be able to think on their own and strategize through problems when they get out in the real world," LaPresta said. "So when I get questions like, 'When will I ever use this?,' I honestly tell them they may never use something like factoring trinomials in the real world, but the ability to think on your own is so important.

"You're building this personal knowledge to take it to a higher degree," she continued. "I think the content they're learning and the foundational pieces they're building through the years is all helping them become better citizens in any job that they have — to be more successful, to be better thinkers and learners and community members later on. STEM education is important because it enables our students to be productive citizens in our communities."

LaPresta chairs North Idaho STEM Charter Academy's math department. She is in her eighth year teaching mathematics, including dual-credit college algebra and analytic trigonometry, at North Idaho STEM Charter. She also teaches business technology, financial literacy and senior project. She serves on the faculty of North Idaho College as a math instructor. Prior to teaching, LaPresta worked for the Department of Defense performing operations research analysis, computer programming, probability and statistics.

Rudan teaches sixth grade science and English language arts at Syringa Middle School in Caldwell. She hosts an after-school 3D-printing club and stages 3D printing summer camps. This is her 14th year teaching.

Possessing an endorsement in English for Speakers of Other Languages with specialized training in mathematics, Rudan is passionate about bringing unique, language-rich, hands-on educational opportunities to underserved populations.

"So many careers are STEM related," she said. "For kids to be exposed to that at a young age and to develop the critical thinking skills that go along with STEM learning opens a lot of career opportunities for them."

Little said inspiring students to enjoy and engage in STEM is fundamental to maximizing Idaho children's career opportunities and supporting the state's long-term economy.

"Thank you to these outstanding educators for training today's students for future jobs and teaching them to embrace innovation, problem-solving and critical thinking," he said.

Incoming STEM Action Center Executive Director Caty Solace said both teachers integrate industry interaction into their lesson plans to ensure students develop the knowledge and skillsets needed by Idaho employers.

"Connecting real-world applications to learning experiences helps students understand the importance of what they are learning," Solace said. "Kristy and Jessica are exceptional educators who recognize and do this on a regular basis by being mindful of the need to bring their communities and industry into their classrooms. And their enthusiasm and passion for STEM are inspiring."

Both teachers will receive $2,000 checks and up to $2,000 more to attend any STEM-related national conference. Their schools will also receive $2,000 each to fund STEM initiatives.

Solace said STEM, including digital literacy, can help Idaho families thrive and succeed.

"STEM learning helps students develop creative thinking, problem solving, innovation and collaboration skills," she said. "These durable skills are in high demand by Idaho employers that want to solve problems in our communities and beyond."

STEM jobs include careers in health care, engineering, software development, finance, agriculture and construction. Solace said STEM jobs in Idaho are projected to grow 15.4% by 2030, outpacing the national average of STEM job growth at 10%, and that 90% of jobs will require digital literacy within a decade. She said STEM jobs pay nearly twice as much as non-STEM jobs.