Smith STEM Academy is proud to announce it is the first school in Region 3 and the most recent school in Victoria ISD to earn the National Certificate for STEM Excellence (NCSE) - Campus Certification from the National Institute for STEM Education (NISE). The NCSE recognizes individual school campuses for their commitment to and systematic support of teachers’ understanding and use of high-impact, evidence-based STEM instructional strategies. This achievement marks a major milestone for both Smith STEM Academy and the entire region.
As part of earning the NCSE - Campus Certification, eight educators at Smith STEM Academy also earned the National Certificate for STEM Teaching (NCST): Andrea Santellana, Laura Janis, Maria DeLaRosa, Jessica DeLeon, Dara Pena, Chloe Shoemake, Brooke Woods, and Allyson Hull.
Additionally, several instructional leaders worked toward the overall campus certification, including Tiffany Absher, Teralee Wagner, Jessica Garza, and Araceli Zubieta, further strengthening the school’s collective STEM expertise.
"We are incredibly proud to be recognized for our hard work and dedication to STEM education," said Tiffany Absher, Principal of Smith STEM Academy. "This certification highlights the commitment of our teachers and staff to providing high-quality, research-based instruction that prepares our students for future success. We are committed to the District’s vision of academic excellence and will continue striving to create the best learning opportunities for all students. It’s an honor to be the first in our region to achieve this level of excellence, and we are excited to continue leading the way in STEM education."
About Smith STEM Academy
Formerly known as Smith Elementary, Smith STEM Academy transitioned to a STEM-focused model in 2021. Since then, the school has remained focused on improving academic outcomes while implementing a strong and innovative STEM framework. Smith STEM Academy has been recognized by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) as a STEM School "Leading the Way," showcasing its commitment to advancing STEM education. Smith STEM Academy is dedicated to excellence, preparing students for a rapidly changing world by fostering creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills through a robust STEM education.
About the National Institute for STEM Education
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, NISE was conceived by seasoned, practicing educators and is based on thousands of hours of research, professional development, curriculum design, and educational leadership. Through dedicated coaching and expert guidance, educators and instructional leaders work closely with NISE to refine school operations and instruction to strengthen STEM practices and build a thriving campus STEM culture.
NISE is a research-based support system for campuses and teachers seeking to strengthen STEM instruction and outcomes. Based on 15 STEM Teacher Actions that evolved from STEM professional development originally created at Rice University, NISE’s Campus and Teacher Certificates help school leaders and teachers understand and apply research and best practices in STEM, 21st-century learning, and professional development. For information, visit http://nise.institute.