PVC Art Teacher and National STEAM Fellow Expands Leadership Opportunities

Across the district, professional development is a cornerstone of engagement, inspiring educators to deepen their teaching practices and expand learning opportunities for all students.

PVC Visual Art & InDe Teacher Ashley Lupfer, a STEAM Fellow with The Innovation Collaborative—a national organization that supports educators through research, networking, and professional learning in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM)—is expanding her leadership role as part of a national team advancing best practices in K–12 STEAM education.

The Innovation Collaborative grew out of the National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded SEAD (Science, Engineering, Arts, Design) project, launched in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities in 2016. The organization continues to foster collaboration across disciplines, institutions, and individuals to advance transdisciplinary learning.

As an Innovation Fellow since 2016, Lupfer has worked to bridge the gap between research and classroom practice, helping to illuminate how creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication intersect in teaching and learning. This month, she was featured as one of three speakers at the Collaborative’s virtual STEAM Summit, where she shared insights from her research with the Innovation Collaborative and work in the Croton-Harmon School District. Her presentation topics included ensuring all students have access to STEAM education, professional development for arts educators that integrates science into their curriculum, and creating learning experiences that connect to the community.

“Transdisciplinary learning is the definition of STEAM. I am grateful to be part of a district that supports this important work,” said Ms. Lupfer. “I am excited to continue creating these opportunities with my incredible colleagues at PVC and proud to work in a community that celebrates this learning with our students.”