Four teachers from two CUSD elementary schools were chosen to participate in the award-winning The Tech Academies fellowship program sponsored by The Tech’s Bowers Institute. They will join a cohort of 40 educators from other local school districts and expanded learning organizations, all of whom will develop leadership skills and expertise in engineering instruction.

Forest Hill's Jodi Howland and Julie Hart chose to specialize in Mechanical Engineering, and CSI's Alicia Hamilton and Julia Quintero chosen Software Engineering. They will be part of creating a growing network of STEM leaders supporting excellence in the community.

“In our commitment to preparing our students for their yet-to-be-defined futures, we know that STEM must be in the forefront of their learning—especially in Silicon Valley,” said District Superintendent Shelly Viramontez. “These teachers will be instrumental in training other Campbell USD educators across the curriculum in engineering and design thinking.”

During the two-year fellowship, the teacher cohorts will work closely with instructors from The Tech’s Bowers Institute. The software engineering cohort will also enjoy additional support from San Jose State University. Both groups will receive more than 90 hours of in-depth, hands-on professional development that will ultimately expose their K-12 students to engineering, fostering their development of 21st century problem-solving skills critical to any career and increasing the number and diversity of students pursuing engineering careers.