Fleetwood Area Middle School Technology Education teacher Jared Bitting has been selected to serve on Pitsco Education’s Teacher Advisory Group.
“Pitsco Education is a company that develops educational materials for science, technology, engineering, and math – STEM… They have selected teachers from across the country,” said Fleetwood Area School District Superintendent Paul Eaken. “We are very pleased that one of our own has been selected to participate in discussions on the needs of educators in STEM.”
“I am very excited to be able to offer my experience to help other STEM Teachers! I am also very excited to network and learn from the other members of the 2015 TAG Team,” said Bitting, who has also been nominated to ITEEA President-Elect. “I have had a great year when it comes to my professional life, not the least of which has been the support of my program by the Calamita family. ITEEA is the International Technology & Engineering Educator’s Association. It is an international professional organization for technology and engineering educators. I have served as the chair of their membership committee for the last 5 years and have been the leader of their Peer Mentoring Taskforce for the last three years, working to develop a mentoring program for members. I ran for President of the ITEEA this past fall and was elected by the members of organization. I ran against a three other great candidates from across the country who were also on the ballot. I will be the 71st individual to lead the organization in its almost 80 year history.”
According to a release from Pitsco Education, the industry leader in hands-on STEM products and curriculum for more than 40 years, 20 educators hailing from schools across the United States have been chosen to work with Pitsco to provide feedback on classroom activities, products, and innovative concepts in education for its 2015 Teacher Advisory Group (TAG).
Pitsco’s Marketing Events Coordinator and TAG facilitator Ashlee Ricks is excited to see what these educators have to offer. “Being Pitsco Education’s TAG coordinator is very rewarding,” says Ricks.
“Not only do I have the opportunity to work with some of the best educators in the field, but I am also the liaison who gathers information for product and curriculum improvements from this elite group. TAG members help us improve student and educator success on a regular basis.”
Twitter was abuzz with excitement about the news as well. “So excited to be a part of this amazing group of educators!” tweeted one new member. “Honored and thrilled to be selected to the 2015 @PitscoEd Teacher Advisory Group,” said another.
The 2015 Pitsco TAG members include: Nicole Penn, Kiser Middle School, Greensboro, NC; Jill Brockmier, Jefferson Elementary School, Pullman, WA; Laura Spence, Pinellas County Schools, Largo, FL; Sheryl Sotelo, McNeil Canyon Elementary School, Homer, AK; Rena Mincks, Jefferson Elementary School, Pullman, WA; Karn Gustafson, Volcano Vista High School, Albuquerque, NM; Lilly Jensby, Christie Elementary, Plano, TX; Jessica Malloy, Christie Elementary, Plano, TX; Jerry Peterson, Plaza Middle School, Kansas City, MO; Todd Rathier, Leominster High School, Leominster, MA; Greg Reiva, Streamwood High School, Streamwood, IL; Kimberly Forbes, Ferndale Middle School, High Point, NC; Trudi Lawless, Lakeside Junior High School, Orange Park, FL; Eileen Malick, Atlee High School, Mechanicsville, VA; Holly Neill, Life Christian School, Aloha, OR; Jared Bitting, Fleetwood Area Middle School, Fleetwood, PA; Cindy Williams, Craven County Schools, New Bern, NC; Cliff Powers, Jackson Academy, Jackson, MS; Sirena Buchholz, Hochberg Preparatory School, North Miami Beach, FL; and Jewel Ausberry, Youth Technology Learning Center, Roswell, GA.