Harmony School of Innovation-Waco teacher Tiffani Cortez has been awarded the Texas Girls Collaborative Project 2023 Educator Stand Up for STEM Award.
This award recognizes recognize individual educators or educational teams from K-12 schools, PreK schools or non-profits, educational non-profits and similar organizations. Nominees must demonstrate a commitment to engaging STEM mentors and role models in programs encouraging women and girls to pursue STEM careers, increasing the diversity of those pursuing STEM careers, and retaining women and girls who enter the STEM education pipeline.
"This recognition highlights the importance of the collaborative approach taken--from educating peers and fellow educators to designing programs that incorporate STEM mentors and role models," said Cortez. "It also emphasizes the broader community effort required to encourage girls in STEM careers."
Nominees were evaluated on following attributes:
- Demonstrated passion for encouraging girls to pursue a STEM career.
- Educates parents, other educators, and/or the community to encourage girls in STEM careers.
- Designs, supports or offers programs for students, parents, educators, etc. that actively and thoroughly incorporate STEM mentors and role models.
- Engages in mentoring or leads STEM mentoring programs that address aspects of STEM student success including sharing/exploration of academic and career pathways, encouraging a growth mindset, emotional and social support, self-confidence and self-efficacy, and career-related skills.
- Demonstrates willingness to share skills, knowledge, and expertise with others and develops networks.
Cortez, who already has several educator awards to her credit, will receive her award at the Stand Up for STEM Awards recognition during the virtual Texas Women and Girls in STEM Summit on Dec. 1, 2023.