India Wilson, principal at STEM Middle @ Baldwin Road Junior High, has been selected to receive the Ohio STEM Learning Network Excellence in STEM Leadership Award.
The award recognizes a leader who fosters STEM best practices school wide, promotes a culture of STEM learning and inquiry, and empowers educators to grow and deepen their best practices by providing opportunities for growth and collaboration.
“When I received the news that I had won the Excellence in STEM Leadership Award, I was in a state of shock that later metamorphosed into pride. I am definitely proud of this achievement. It is without question that my nomination was among many accomplished STEM school leaders, from all over Ohio. This award confirms that a school's culture and climate can be transformed when vision exists and consistency prevails,” Mrs. Wilson said.
The award started with a nomination from colleagues and peers.
“Principal Wilson's STEM vision for students is to provide an environment at STEM Middle at Baldwin Road Junior High where the sky is the limit for every student. This means that each of her students, no matter which demographic categories they belong to, can see themselves as a leader in STEM,” Schyvonne Ross, assistant principal at the school, wrote.
STEM Middle @ Baldwin Road is one of Ohio’s two platform STEM middle schools and part of Reynoldsburg’s K-12 STEM pathway. STEM is explored at the school through three lenses: health sciences, environmental science and social justice. Mrs. Wilson has been the principal for three years and an educator for nearly 25 years.
“While I love the children, the best part of being the principal at SMBR, is having the opportunity to work and serve with the greatest team of teachers and staff ever. This team is a melting pot of teacher leaders, with a plethora of talents, expertise, creativity, generosity, and dedication,” she said.
The STEM leadership award was presented May 11, 2023, the evening before the Ohio STEM Innovation Summit in Columbus.