3 science teachers part of program to keep their kind around

Three Lake County science teachers have been chosen to participate in a yearlong enrichment program by the National Science Teachers Association.

The Virginia-based organization has invited Alex Mendralla of Palombi Middle School in Lake Villa, Melonnie Hartl of Emmons School in Antioch and Kumkum Ghosh of St. Martin de Porres High School in Waukegan to participate in the New Science Teacher Academy program.

A total of 185 teachers in 47 states were honored, including 15 in Illinois. Other suburban winners include Hope Paskus of Kaneland Middle School in Maple Park, Brian Pelz of Crystal Lake Central High School and Rebecca Wenning Vieyra of Cary-Grove High School.

Kate Meyer, spokeswoman for the academy, said experts are discovering a high turnover rate with new science teachers. Her organization is working to stem that tide.

"Two studies were done recently that found a high attrition rate for new teachers," Meyer said. "According to studies done by the Illinois Education Research Council and the University of Pennsylvania, roughly one in four new teachers leave their teaching careers during their first five years and do not return."

The yearlong academy program connects new science teachers to a range of tools and resources designed to encourage them to stay on their career path.

Meyer said the winners are linked with an experienced mentor, Web seminars, online help and an all-expenses-paid trip to attend a three-day conference in Philadelphia next spring. The association hopes those perks will strengthen the teachers' resolve to stay on course.

Meyer said the main reasons for attrition is a lack of support from administrators and sense of isolation on the part of the teachers.

She said the studies also found science teachers in particular often lack the required lab equipment and tools they need to be successful.

Emmons School has provided plenty of assistance for Hartl, she said, but the enrichment offered through the award will take her to the next level.

"I do have great support here, but this gives me the chance to interact with veteran teachers across the country," Hartl said. "They offer Web seminars with as many as 90 teachers interacting, teaching and talking to each other. We can learn a lot from each other."

Hartl, 53, who made a late-life career move to teaching, said she welcomes the extra help.

Palombi's Mandralla, 24, said the first couple of years are the hardest. He's looking forward to the help offered through the academy.

"This is a good opportunity to bounce ideas off experienced teachers," he said. "It's going to help me stay on the forefront of my career."

The NSTA awards are given only to teachers in their second or third year on the job, Meyer said. Funding for the 15 winners from Illinois comes from Deerfield-based Astellas Pharma US Inc., which partners with the NSTA in the award program.

Science: Program includes conference in Philadelphia