By: Madison Butchko Photos by: Yale Daily News In elementary school, I developed an unexpected passion for multiplication tables. Those daily timed tests became my arena where I consistently scored at the top, never missing a question. My teachers noticed, and before long, they recommended I skip ahead in math. I didn’t realize it then, but that small ritual of repetition was teaching me something larger: how to believe I was capable. Being accelerated in mathematics branded me as “the smart kid,” an identity that would guide my decisions for years to come. This same process of identity formation now …

The National Science Foundation has announced that Dane Peagler, a Mississippi educator who has been a Supervising Instructor with the Global Teaching Project since its inception, has been honored with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The PAEMST program, administered by NSF on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, recognizes outstanding teachers for their contributions to the teaching and learning of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.  This major honor is conferred on just two teachers from each state for each year—one in math and one in science. Mr. Peagler, a native …

From January 17 – 19, the Global Teaching Project hosted its 8th annual Advanced STEM Winter Program in Jackson, Mississippi.  Thanks to the dedication and effort of school administrators, teachers, students, and staff, the Program was a resounding success, with over 130 students in attendance, along with numerous teachers and educators from across the state. The Program, which is held annually over the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, aims to affirm the nexus between Civil Rights and educational opportunity, and to provide intensive instruction in the AP STEM courses students are enrolled in. The instructional sessions at Jackson State covered …

Entrepreneur Stedman Graham, who works to promote educational opportunities for underserved students across the United States and around the world, has joined the Global Teaching Project’s Advisory Board. Stedman Graham has worked for more than thirty years writing books, working with corporations, schools, and communities, teaching in universities, supporting nonprofits, and speaking to audiences nationally and internationally. The author of 12 books, including two New York Times best sellers and one Wall Street Journal bestseller, Mr. Graham lectures and conducts leadership training programs for corporations and educational organizations worldwide. Stedman Graham has worked closely with GTP for several years, implementing his …

One of the most critical elements of the Global Teaching Project’s blended learning model is the extensive tutoring provided by college STEM majors from leading universities around the country, such as Yale, the University of Virginia, Harvard, Columbia, and Vanderbilt. These Teaching Assistants work with our Mississippi high school students multiple times per week by synchronous video conference, as well as at the Global Teaching Project’s residential programs held throughout the year at Mississippi’s flagship universities. This year, GTP is pleased to work with well over 50+ college students, many of whom have been with our program for since they …

The Global Teaching Project Dinner Discussion Series provides practical guidance regarding college and career plans, and allows students to interact with top experts and accomplished leaders from a wide range of various academic and professional fields. We will hold our first Dinner Discussion on Wednesday, October 25th, from 4:00-5:00 pm (Central) with Cale Pliska, an expert on the college admissions and financial aid process. All students and families are encouraged to join the session with Mr. Pliska so that they may learn more about how to apply for college, how to pay for it, and how to prepare to succeed …

Nicole Roberson serves as Executive Director of the Mississippi Public School Consortium for Educational Access, which implements the Global Teaching Project’s Advanced STEM Access Program to provide promising high school students in rural Mississippi the opportunity to take rigorous science courses.  She also serves on the faculty of the University of Mississippi School of Education, where she teaches Secondary Science Education. Nicole is a passionate educator and works tirelessly to expand educational opportunities throughout Mississippi.  She was recognized earlier this year as “Best Professor” in Oxford magazine’s annual “Best of Oxford” survey. We are honored to work alongside Nicole.  We recently asked Nicole a few questions about her life experiences and passions. …

College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP)® program provides exceptional high school students the opportunity to take rigorous classes in dozens of subjects, thus preparing them for college level coursework and, in many cases, allowing high school students to earn college credit at higher education institutions across the country. Last year, students took nearly 5 million AP exams, providing College Board with comprehensive data on what schools are doing, and where.  Based on that data, College Board has concluded the Global Teaching Project’s achievements in expanding AP access to underserved communities are unmatched anywhere in the country. As Trevor Packer, College Board Senior Vice President, AP …

An independent assessment conducted by the University of Mississippi Center for Research Evaluation (CERE) found that Physics students in the Global Teaching Project’s 2023 Advanced STEM Summer Preparatory Program again achieved dramatic gains in substantive understanding of course content. GTP’s Advanced STEM Access Program provides promising students from rural Mississippi communities access to advanced STEM courses they need to achieve their full potential, but which their schools otherwise may not offer. The Summer Program, a series of immersive instructional sessions held over 15 days on Mississippi State University’s Starkville campus, helps students prepare to take AP Physics 1, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Biology, and AP Statistics in the upcoming school year. …

The Global Teaching Project’s seventh annual Advanced STEM Summer Preparatory Program, held once again on Mississippi State University’s Starkville campus, achieved record enrollment as students took advantage of an expanded curriculum. Students from 22 rural high schools gathered in June for immersive instructional sessions held over 15 days, living in MSU dorms, and utilizing university classroom, research, dining, and recreational facilities. There is no charge to students, schools, or families to attend the Summer Program. GTP’s Advanced STEM Access Program provides promising students from rural Mississippi communities access to advanced STEM courses they need to achieve their full potential, but …

Global Teaching Project’s Supervisory Instructors—experienced, in-state, AP-certified teachers—are critical to the Global Teaching Project’s Advanced STEM Access Program. Supervisory Instructors provide synchronous and asynchronous instruction, lead university-based residential instructional programs, create and administer online course platforms, prepare lesson plans, and provide academic and pedagogical support to on-site teachers. Dane Peagler, a Mississippi native and Physics and Computer Science teacher, has worked with the Global Teaching Project as a Supervisory Instructor since the Advanced STEM Access Program began in 2017. Dane leads all academic aspects of the courses he oversees, including creating the structure of the course, providing instruction directly to …