Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy Announces 11th Year
Thousands of teachers have been trained through week-long science, technology, engineering and math program
- More than 150 elementary school teachers from all 50 states and the District of Columbia have been selected to attend the Academy this summer
- Program focuses on using real-world examples and hands-on experiments to build teacher and student excitement about STEM learning
- Since its inception, more than 4,500 teachers have been trained, impacting more than 300,000 students nationwide
IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, ExxonMobil announced 155 third- through fifth-grade teachers from across the United States have been selected to attend the national 2015 Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy. The program is a week-long, all-expense-paid, professional development program for third- through fifth-grade teachers that equips them with innovative ways to teach science and math and inspire their students in these critical subjects.
In 2005, ExxonMobil partnered with PGA Golfer Phil Mickelson, and his wife, Amy, to launch the Academy. Today, more than 4,500 teachers have been trained on effective math and science teaching techniques, impacting more than 300,000 students nationwide.
“Amy and I understand firsthand the influence teachers have on students,” Phil Mickelson said. “We are excited to see not only the initial inspiration that comes from the Academy week, but also the additional activity from classrooms when teachers apply what they’ve learned to help their students understand, engage and truly be inspired about STEM subjects.”
More than 1,500 teachers submitted applications through www.sendmyteacher.com to attend the 2015 Academy at Liberty Science Center in New Jersey from July 27-31. From this group, 155 teachers were selected -- representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia -- based on their qualifications, dedication to inspiring students at an early age and overall commitment to enhancing the teaching profession. View the full list of teachers selected here.
Recent test scores from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) rank the U.S. 21st in science and 26th in math when compared to other OECD nations. The Business Center for a College- and Career-Ready America also reports that almost all of the 30 fastest-growing occupations in the next decade will require at least some STEM background. As a company with more than 18,000 scientists and engineers, ExxonMobil recognizes the need to ignite passion in today’s youth around STEM and prepare them to pursue related careers.
“ExxonMobil values the importance of instilling today’s students with a strong foundation in math and science, and we know teachers play a vital role in directly shaping student aptitude—and attitude—in these subjects,” said Suzanne McCarron, general manager of public and government affairs, ExxonMobil. “Through partnerships like the one we have built with the Mickelsons, we’re not only bringing a continued awareness to the importance and effectiveness of STEM teacher training, we’re also providing a professional development program that helps lay the groundwork for teachers to prepare students for future careers in the STEM field.”
During the week-long Academy, participants will work with a curriculum developed by the National Science Teachers Association and Math Solutions. After the program, teachers will return to their classrooms reinvigorated with the passion to teach students how to be science literate, using hands-on experiments that show how math and science surround us daily.
“Participating in the hands-on experiments at the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy gave me new and effective skills to ignite a passion for STEM in my students,” said Emily Maki, an Illinois teacher who attended the Academy in 2014. “The Academy helped me renew my confidence in teaching science and math, and it’s been rewarding to see how my students have engaged with my lessons.”
An additional 350 teachers chosen from communities around the country near where ExxonMobil maintains significant operations will be attending regional academies this summer in Houston, TX, and Pittsburgh, PA.
Since 2005, the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy has provided more than 117,200 hours of math and science training to teachers from across the United States.
To learn more about how teachers can be nominated, visit www.sendmyteacher.com.
About Exxon Mobil Corporation
Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), the largest publicly traded international oil and gas company, uses technology and innovation to help meet the world’s growing energy needs. ExxonMobil engages in a range of philanthropic activities that advance education, with a focus on math and science in the United States, promote women as catalysts for economic development, and combat malaria. In 2014, together with its employees and retirees, ExxonMobil, its divisions and affiliates, and the ExxonMobil Foundation provided $279 million in contributions worldwide. Additional information on ExxonMobil’s community partnerships and contribution programs is available at www.exxonmobil.com/community.
Phil and Amy Mickelson Foundation
Since its inception in 2004, the Phil and Amy Mickelson Foundation is focused on supporting a variety of youth and family initiatives including the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy and Smart Start. The Foundation’s mission is to operate exclusively for charitable, educational and scientific purposes; established as a 501(c)3, it is a non-fundraising, private foundation. For more information, visit www.PhilMickelson.com.
National Science Teachers Association
The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's current membership includes approximately 55,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.
Math Solutions
Math Solutions, founded in 1984 by Marilyn Burns, has provided a wide range of professional development services and resource materials to more than 500 districts, in 47 states, helping more than 200,000 teachers and administrators across the country. For more information, visit www.mathsolutions.com.
ExxonMobil
Media Relations, 972-444-1107
Source: Exxon Mobil Corporation
Released April 14, 2015