Fort Polk Progress
Media Alert
April 15, 2014
For Immediate Release
Contact: Tammy Sharp
337-378-9329
Fort Polk Progress

Pitkin teacher blazes trail for STEM education in Vernon Parish

LEESVILLE, LA.-Jerome Henson, a 1991 Leesville High School graduate, has been blazing a trail for better education in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) for the Vernon Parish School District for years.

 

In fact, Henson helped the Vernon Parish School District obtain $3 million from two separate sources for STEM education in the district several years ago. He continues to make a strong impact on the district with his commitment to teaching and learning.

 

"Ultimately it is about student learning," Henson said. "In our country, science and math have taken a back seat to reading for a while.  It's understandable.  Reading unlocks the ability to learn all subjects.  However, math allows you to manipulate the world around you while science creates the understanding of how and why the world works."

 

Currently, the United States is ranked 25th in math and 17th in science against our industrialized counterparts, which has prompted the nation to prioritize science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education across the country.

 

The Vernon Parish School District continues to set aggressive goals for STEM education in the district, with results such as increased collaboration with the community and among schools; increased access to technology; not to mention increased engagement of students.

 

If you'd like to do a story about STEM education in Vernon Parish and/or a profile on Henson, please don't hesitate to contact Tammy Sharp at 337-378-9329 or [email protected].

Fort Polk Progress is a regional community organization that takes a proactive stance toward Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) by maintaining relationships and partnering with decision makers in Congress, at the Pentagon and at the state level, ensuring that the most up to date information concerning Fort Polk and the surrounding communities is used in decisions concerning the base. In addition, Fort Polk Progress actively markets the base to the military as the most cost effective place to provide soldiers with the best training possible and strives to help ensure the best possible quality of life for soldiers, civilians and their families. 

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