ANN ARBOR, Mich. (May 30, 2014) – For the second year, Ann Arbor Public Schools staff members have been invited to join the Toyota Education Initiatives in STEAM Innovation (Toyota STEAM) program. This year, Superintendent Dr. Jeanice K. Swift will make the trip along with 20 other AAPS staff representing many from the district’s instructional and administrative levels. 

Fully funded by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE), this professional development program for U.S. secondary school educators is designed to support efforts to prepare and inspire an increased number of U.S. students to study and pursue careers in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) fields.
 
Over the past 15 years, Toyota and IIE have conducted 19 international short-study programs in Japan, the Galapagos Islands, Costa Rica and South Africa through the Toyota International Teacher Program. Over 695 alumni, including the first cohort of AAPS educators, make up a network across the U.S. representing some of the nation’s top educators.
 
Last summer, ten AAPS staff members traveled to Singapore as part of the first year pilot. They continue to collaborate with Toyota and IIE to develop this year’s work-study program in partnership with the Academy of Singapore Teachers, Singapore Ministry of Education. The AAPS Development Team, in partnership with the 2014 STEAM Cohort, will work with AAPS staff and students during the 2014-15 school year to develop innovative integration of STEAM lessons, units and projects for AAPS students.
 
The new Toyota Education Initiatives in STEAM Innovation program aims to have a larger impact on an entire school district and to forge international collaborations between educators and students where possible. Toyota and AAPS have existing ties through the Toyota Technical Center, Toyota’s Research and Development arm for North America, located in the Ann Arbor community. AAPS staff will learn about Singapore’s STEM educational practices, which are known for their global achievements in the areas of Science and Mathematics.   
 
This year’s AAPS staff traveling to Singapore with the Toyota STEAM program are:
 

Name	Job Title	School/Office
Jeanice Swift	Superintendent	Ann Arbor Public Schools
Merri Lynn Colligan	Executive Director of Instructional Technology and Information Services	Ann Arbor Public Schools
Jenna Bacolor	Executive Director	Community Education and Recreation
Michael Chmura	Media Specialist	Forsythe Middle School
Kit Flynn	Principal	Ann Arbor Open School
Michael Frantsen	Technology and Design/U.S. Government & Economics Education Teacher	Roberto Clemente Student Development Center
Amy Furey	Mathematics Teacher	Huron High School
Diana Gordon	Technology Education Teacher	Tappan Middle School
Laurie Hochrein	Mathematics Teacher	Skyline High School
Kristal Jaaskelainen	English Language Arts Lead Teacher	Skyline High School
Anthony Lauer	Online and Options Coordinator	Community High School
Michelle Macke	Math Department Chair	Pioneer High School
Cory McElmeel	Principal	Skyline High School
Soon Morningstar	Science/Math Teacher	Clague Middle School
Peter Pasque	Instructional Technology Teacher	Skyline High School
Phil Sanborn	Math and Science Teacher	Pioneer High School
Amie Snapke	Physical Science and Computer Teacher	Forsythe Middle School
Darlene Tankersley	Art Department Chair	Huron High School
Marcy Tuzinsky	Lead Teacher/ Math Teacher	Community High School
Laura Wayne	Visual Arts/Humanities Teacher	Martin Luther King Elementary School
Jenni Wilkening	Science Teacher	Huron High School