Stacie Marvin, Mathematics Specialist, Begins Year-Long Fellowship on Capitol Hill

September 26th, 2023

Lake Elkhorn Middle School (LEMS) mathematics specialist Stacie Marvin is one of 16 K–12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teachers from across the United States to be named as a 2023–2024 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow (AEF). The AEF Program provides a unique opportunity for accomplished K-12 educators in STEM fields to serve in the national education arena.

Marvin, who has 20 years of experience as an educator, 13 of which have been spent in the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS), began her 11-month fellowship on Aug. 14, 2023. Her AEF placement is on Capitol Hill, in the office of Representative David Trone (MD-06). Congressman David Trone was elected in 2018 to serve Maryland’s Sixth Congressional District.

“HCPSS has always been supportive of me as an educator, nurturing my growth and allowing me the creative freedom to do what’s best for my students as well as pursue avenues for pedagogical exchange with colleagues in and between schools,” said Marvin. “I cut my teeth delivering professional development at HCPSS-sponsored events. All of this provided me with the skills and courage to apply for this national recognition.”

Marvin will be taking on the role of policy advisor as she delves into Trone’s education portfolio and meets with advocacy groups who want to raise awareness of educational issues. She will also support Trone’s proposed legislation aimed at addressing educational inequities and eliminating academic achievement gaps.

“These efforts align with the work I do as a math specialist. We get to help kids recover from the interruption of learning caused by the pandemic,” Marvin said. “I’ve enjoyed being able to work with LEMS teachers and math coach, Ann Marie Varlotta, to diagnose student learning gaps and find appropriate interventions to help them succeed.”

As part of her fellowship, she will spend time fulfilling her personal professional development plan in which she has identified goals she wishes to fulfill related to leadership, STEM pedagogy and education policy. One of her goals centers around emerging technologies, specifically the use of Artificial Intelligence in the classroom.

“The activities I will engage in will expose me to emergent technology that builds creativity and problem solving skills to help students persevere and see mistakes as opportunities rather than work stoppers,” said Marvin. “I look forward to bringing these skills back to the classroom.”