Julie Sandridge of West Memphis School District has been selected to participate in the Teacher Leader Community, a prestigious leadership program from Nourish the Future designed to address these critical needs. Nourish the Future is a national STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) initiative connecting students to modern agriculture. Its mission is to help teachers inspire their students to learn science, solve problems, and see the possibilities of careers in agriculture.
Sandridge, who teaches at Weaver Elementary School, was selected as one of only 32 teachers nationwide to participate in the year-long fellowship supported by partners like the United Soybean Board, the National Corn Growers Association, and Bayer. Industry partners fund the Nourish the Future program to help farmers educate the public on modern farming and the science behind their practices.
The year-long fellowship provides Sandridge with a comprehensive professional development experience, including a behind-the-scenes tour of the research happening at Bayer Crop Science in St. Louis, and attendance at the nation’s leading agriculture conference: Commodity Classic. Sandridge will receive free classroom resources, specialized training in leadership and curriculum development, and access to additional industry experts from companies like Syngenta. As a key component of the program, Sandridge will develop and present a professional development session to share the science of agriculture with colleagues in Tennessee.
"I’ve been teaching for three years and have noticed a growing enthusiasm among our students for STEM education. My principal generously offered me a valuable opportunity to participate in hands-on professional development. Knowing my passion for STEM, Mrs. Valentine was excited to support my attendance”, says Sandridge. “During the experience, I gained valuable insights into agriculture and learned about the wide range of career opportunities available to young people in that field. What truly motivates me is the rapid pace at which our world is growing and changing. This drives my commitment to preparing students to become critical thinkers who can confidently solve real-world problems. I believe that critical thinking is one of the most essential skills our students must develop to succeed and contribute meaningfully to society. Nourish the Future is an incredible opportunity for me, as an educator, to learn how to better integrate STEM into my classroom and inspire the next generation of problem-solvers."