PIMSER Executive Director
- Founding executive director of PIMSER since 2005…
Master Regional Teacher Partners – the Core of PIMSER Impacts
PIMSER Master Teachers were originally developed through the work of two large National Science Foundation grant projects totaling $34 million: the Appalachian Rural Systemic Initiative and the Appalachian Math and Science Partnership (see “Origins of PIMSER (2005)” for more information). Through these projects, they acquired in-depth expertise in content, standards-based instruction and assessment, and leadership. After the projects ended, PIMSER continued to invest in the Master Teachers by providing them with the latest resources, research, and materials so they stay on the cutting edge of education. Some of the Master Teachers went on to become Regional Teacher Partners (RTPs) with PIMSER; they provide all of our professional learning across the state (see “PIMSER Support Model” for more information about this support).
Between 2005-2022, PIMSER Master Teachers have provided more than 233,000 combined hours of professional learning to over 10,400 teachers and leaders. Additionally, they have contributed to innovative, research-based educational practices at state, national, and international levels.
All of the Master Teachers started out in the programs as ‘regular’ classroom teachers. Many have moved into several different administrative and other leadership positions within their schools, districts, and even state-level organizations. Some even earned their doctorates! PIMSER supports our Master Teachers to always be raising their ceiling of understanding related to curriculum, instruction, assessment, and leadership. The training they receive allows them to bring the latest and best resources, research and information to the teachers and administrators they work with. They frequently collaborate with each other and national experts to work on their learning and leadership skills including how to be an effective facilitator.
Testimonials from Select PIMSER Master Teachers on Impact on Themselves
The PIMSER Master Teachers are the heart of PIMSER’s ability to support positive change in mathematics and science learning across Kentucky. In addition to the impact they have on others, these Master Teachers also report that their work with, and support by, PIMSER has substantially impacted their own professional journeys. Below are a few examples shared by past or present PIMSER Master Teachers.
“The Master Teacher project has had a huge influence on my educational impact. There are several accolades in my career that I personally attribute to having been through that program. I have taken a much deeper leadership role in my school as well as regionally. It is also afforded me the opportunity to work with other school systems and even to acquire an Ed.D in educational leadership. The Master Teacher program has been invaluable to me in my career.”
- Dr. Micki Phipps, now the Math Science Coordinator, York Institute (TN)
“Because of the many skills I learned during the Master Teacher program (MTP) my career in education has changed significantly. I continued for many years to be a classroom math teacher following the MTP, but the type of teacher I became changed drastically. I learned how to build competency in my students and challenge them to think and investigate concepts. I believe I learned how to get them to be an active participant in their education rather than a passive bystander. Later, when leadership opportunities were presented, because of my work in MTP I felt capable and confident that I could work with fellow educators to grow and learn together and to carve out the path towards success that my school district would follow. My experiences in MTP helped develop not only skills to be a better math educator, but aided in shaping me into a future leader of educators.”
- Kellie Wilson, Director of Pupil Personnel and Dean of Students, Science Hill Independent
“I have been a PIMSER Master Regional Teacher Partner since 2014. I was selected as one of three elementary teachers in Fayette Co. to attend the State Science Leadership Network, led by KY PIMSER. This was an incredible opportunity to learn more about best instructional practices in science instruction and go back to share ideas with teachers in my district. The PIMSER sessions stretched my thinking, and most importantly helped me develop not only a vision for science education in my classroom and my district, but the strategies to put in place to make it happen. I learned how to integrate more writing in science, develop critical thinking and science discourse, and authentically assess students in science. As a direct result of the leadership skills I gained, I was selected to be on the NGSS lead states committee, providing feedback on the science standards from their inception, helped write summative science assessment clusters for Kentucky, and worked on revisions of the state through-course tasks, and the standards setting committee with Pearson [the KY vendor for managing the state science testing]. I was awarded the 2006 Kentucky Elementary Science Teacher of the Year by the Kentucky Science Teachers’ Association, the 2012 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, and the 2020 Distinguished Science Educator by KSTA. I truly believe that the training and experiences I gained in my association with PIMSER were the primary influences on my career.”
- Patti Works, PIMSER Regional Teacher Partner and former Professional Learning Specialist with Amplify Science
“I had never considered leaving the classroom and working for the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) as a career option. My work with PIMSER has given me the necessary leadership skills and professional confidence to pursue the regional science instructional specialist position with KDE. The professional learning from PIMSER continues to be valuable daily in my work with administrators, teachers and students.”
- Richard DeLong, former Regional Science Instructional Specialist, Kentucky Department of Education