USC College of Education M.Ed. in Educational Technology student and Richland Two high school math specialist one of 11 selected nationally for top honor

An award-winning Richland Two educator and College of Education student has won another top honor.

Matthew Owens has been named a 2015-2016 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow. He and 10 other outstanding educators from across the country will begin serving an 11-month fellowship in Washington, D.C. on September 1, 2015.

“It feels like a huge professional learning voyage to have such a prestigious opportunity to work in a federal agency to nationally impact STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education,” Owens said. 

Owens, who currently serves as Richland School District Two’s high school math content specialist, will serve at the National Science Foundation Directorate for Education and Human Resources, Division of Human Resources and Development. He hopes to impact STEM education by improving equity and access to STEM opportunities. He looks forward to providing professional learning opportunities to high school students to increase awareness and advocate for STEM education.

Owens began teaching in the district in 2005 at Spring Valley High School. During his time there, Owens was the advisor for the award-winning math team. He is a National Board Certified teacher in adolescent and young adult mathematics. He is a 2011 recipient of the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. 

The fellowships are sponsored by the US Department of Energy, National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Science Foundation. 

 

Article content and images provided courtesy of Richland School District Two.