Einstein Fellowships Lure Math Educators to Government

October 8, 2009 

The Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program is a 15-year-old, federally funded program that allows math and science teachers the chance to use their skills outside the classroom. This year two dozen teachers are working in Washington, D.C., crafting legislation and serving as staffers and advisors at federal agencies and on Capitol Hill. Paid $60,000 for the year, they then have to decide whether to return to their former positions or stay in the government and perhaps influence a wider audience.

Math teacher and 2009 fellow, Mark Hannum (Benjamin Banneker Academic High School, in Washington, D.C.), claimed he is "getting a very global perspective" at the National Science Foundation and has had the "unique experience of really seeing science and math education from first grade to the Ph.D. level."

Hannum was asked to stay for a second year and is currently weighing his options. "I do miss my students back in D.C.," he told the Washington Post. "They had a profound influence in my life and it would difficult to turn away from the level of interaction."

"A lot of teachers feel claustrophobic when they go back into the classroom," observed Aaron Schuetz (Yorktown High School, in Arlington, Va.), a 2003-2005 fellow at the Department of Energy. "They're put back into a box after they've run free, seeing so many things and being asked to be involved with things all over the place." Schuetz has since returned to teaching, saying the experience taught him how much the country needs young talent in the hard sciences.

Nearly half of the fellows return to the classroom. However, several have chosen the new path. Steve Robinson, a 2005 fellow, left teaching to work for the Department of Education as a special advisor to the White House on math and science issues. After 26 years of teaching, 2000 fellow Peg Steffen now develops ocean and climate change educational programs for NOAA.

Source: Washington Post, Oct. 5, 2009.