DOD STEM AMBASSADOR FOR MATHCOUNTS

DOD STEM AMBASSADOR FOR MATHCOUNTS

A prestigious cohort of educators who collaborate to create and curate resources to support STEM educators nationwide.

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DoD STEM logo
DoD STEM Ambassador Program

About the Defense STEM Education Consortium

The Defense STEM Education Consortium (DSEC) is a collaborative partnership between academia, industry, not-for-profit organizations and government that aims to broaden STEM literacy and develop a diverse and agile workforce with the technical excellence to defend our Nation. By addressing and prioritizing critical STEM challenges, the Department of Defense is investing in evidence-based approaches to inspire and develop the Nation’s science and technology workforce. The MATHCOUNTS Foundation is a member of DSEC.

About the DoD STEM Ambassador Program

Educators who are recognized with the DoD STEM Ambassador award will partner with DSEC to advance STEM outreach throughout the school year. As members of this prestigious cohort, DoD STEM Ambassadors will collaborate to create and curate resources to support STEM educators across the nation in implementing high quality STEM learning for all students. This program is facilitated by the TGR Foundation, and as a member of DSEC, MATHCOUNTS selects one of the ambassadors in this cohort.

How It Works

Click through the buttons for key info about the DoD STEM Ambassador for MATHCOUNTS (DSAM).

    Applications for 2023-2024 closed on May 30, 2023.

    Educators must be invited to apply to be the DSAM. 

    MATHCOUNTS has already contacted the educators eligible to apply for 2023-2024. If you received an emailed invitation from the MATHCOUNTS Foundation, you should use the application link included in that email to apply. Click the Application Preview button at the end of this page to download the application questions.

    Scope of Work

    Throughout the program year (Sep. 2023 - Aug. 2024), the DSAM will:

    • Develop and execute a Planning for Impact project that addresses STEM challenges or provides meaningful STEM experiences to military-connected and/or underrepresented students.
    • Author guest blog posts to be featured on the DoD STEM website.
    • Support at least one presentation at national, state and/or local conferences to share DoD STEM resources.
    • Create new resources for MATHCOUNTS competition participants, using past/current MATHCOUNTS materials, as well as materials created or curated by the DSAM. These resources should facilitate mathematics learning and provide creative engagement approaches to be shared with educators.
    • Meet virtually each month with Ambassador cohort as a community of practice to network, learn from each other and engage in professional learning opportunities addressing the following domains: transdisciplinary learning in STEM, computational literacy (including data science and cyber education), work-based learning experiences with industry partners, mathematics and STEM ecosystems.

    Planned Timeline

    This timeline may change during the year.

    • April 17-May 30, 2023: Application period for the DSAM position (by invitation only).
    • May 30, 2023 at 11:59pm ET: Deadline to apply for the DSAM position.
    • June 2023: Announcement of DSAM.
    • September 2023Begin work as DSAM.
    • September 2023 – July 2024: Design and work on Planning for Impact project.
    • Spring/Summer 2024: Create MATHCOUNTS resources.
    • Spring/Summer 2024: Present at a national, state or local conference.
    • Ongoing: Author guest blog posts on DoD STEM website. 
    • Ongoing: Monthly meetings with other DoD STEM Ambassadors, facilitated by the program managers.

      Support for Ambassadors

      The DoD STEM Ambassador program is managed and facilitated by TGR Foundation: A Tiger Woods Charity. TGR will provide support and guidance throughout the year. The DSAM will also have ample opportunities to collaborate with fellow ambassadors.

      In addition, MATHCOUNTS program staff will check in monthly (via email or telephone) with the DSAM and provide support, as needed, including:

      • Help with identifying a conference and registering as a presenter.
      • Guidance about the Planning for Impact project, including areas of need and research support.
      • Guidance and tools to support resource creation, including a subscription to OPLET.
      • Connections to past DSAMs, who can provide insight into what to expect.
      • Info about MATHCOUNTS (including slide decks, brochures and flyers).

      Funding for the Award

      The DSAM selected for the 2023-2024 program year will receive $20,000 in funding from DoD STEM, to be disbursed by the TGR Foundation. This is based on the following:

      • $12,500 stipend paid directly to the DSAM
      • $5,000 for classroom materials and supplies for the DSAM
      • $2,500 to cover the cost of attendance at an educator conference or professional development (registration, travel, lodging)

        How to Apply

        Educators must be invited to apply to be the DSAM. 

        MATHCOUNTS has already contacted the educators eligible to apply for 2023-2024. If you received an emailed invitation from the MATHCOUNTS Foundation, you should use the application link included in that email to apply. Click the Application Preview button at the end of this page to download the application questions.

        Submit your application to RTI no later than May 30, 2023 at 11:59pm ET. Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

        Meet Our Amazing Ambassadors

        Incredible educators have supported MATHCOUNTS as ambassadors!

        We are grateful for their expertise and dedication.

        Courtney Heikkila, 2023-2024

        2023-2024 Ambassador for MATHCOUNTS
        Mallard Creek STEM Academy (NC)

        Courtney was awarded Teacher of the Year for the 2018-2019 school year and transitioned out of the classroom into instructional coaching in 2022. Courtney is passionate about creating a fun, engaging and collaborative math classroom environment that allows for students to enjoy learning, improve their skills and experience success in math regardless of previous experiences.

        Chantelle Normand, 2022-2023

        2022-2023 Ambassador for MATHCOUNTS
        North Bay Haven Charter Academy Middle School (FL)

        Chantelle has been a math teacher for 27 years and a competition coach for 8 years. In 2018, she won Teacher of the Year at her school.

        Chantelle uses MATHCOUNTS problems twice a week with her students to practice their problem-solving skills. In her role as DSAM, she helped create new MATHCOUNTS resources.

        Resource She Loves:
        MATHCOUNTS Problems

        Tyler Erb, 2021-2022

        2021-2022 Ambassador for MATHCOUNTS
        Community House Middle School (NC)

        Tyler has been a math teacher for 8 years, a competition coach for 7 years and a club leader for 3 years. In 2019, he won the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

        During his time as DSAM, Tyler created a practice competition for future MATHCOUNTS coaches to use. He also attended the 2022 Raytheon Technologies MATHCOUNTS National Competition and will present at an educator conference in the fall.

        Resource He Loves:
        Practice Competitions

        Genevieve Esmende, 2020-2022

        2020-2022 Ambassador for UC San Diego CREATE
        Wangenheim Middle School (CA)

        Gen has been a math teacher for more than 20 years and a club leader for 3 years. In 2022, she received the Distinguished Teacher distinction from the California Department of Education, and in 2015, she was a finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

        During her time as the Ambassador for UC San Diego CREATE, Gen helped transition several National Math Club activities to a digital format, so teachers could use them in Google Classroom. She also led numerous outreach activities in the Greater San Diego area.

        Resource She Loves:
        National Math Club Games

        Taren Long, 2020-2021

        2020-2021 Ambassador for MATHCOUNTS
        Chesapeake Public Charter School (MD)

        Taren has been a math teacher for more than a decade and a competition coach for 7 years. In 2018, she was awarded an Outstanding Teacher award from the Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative for her "performance in the areas of creativity, rapport with students, enthusiasm for teaching, professionalism and innovative teaching methods."

        During her time as DSAM, Taren helped create new Practice Plans for MATHCOUNTS coaches to use, and was a featured speaker in the USASEF 2021 Inspire Educators Workshops.

        Resource She Loves:
        Practice Plans