College of Education & Human Development doctoral student Vanessa Louis was one of 15 students nationwide chosen for the Community for Advancing Discovery Research in Education (CADRE) Fellowship Program.
The CADRE Fellowship was established by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to provide “professional growth opportunities for early career researchers whose work centers on diversity, inclusion, equity and/or justice in Pre-K-12 STEM education,” according to the CADRE website.
Louis is working on her doctorate in teaching and learning with a concentration in science education. She holds a bachelor’s in biology from Kennesaw State University and a master’s degree in science education from Georgia State University. She uses abolitionist teaching and action research to assist novice science teachers in developing cultural competence as part of the college’s NSF-funded Developing STEM Professionals as Educators and Teacher Leaders (DSPETL) project.
Louis is a graduate research assistant working with Assistant Professor Natalie King on a research-practice partnership to address problems in STEM literacy in Black and Brown communities. She also collaborates with the college’s CREATE teacher residency program to examine the experiences of Black teacher fellows as they navigate a social-justice-oriented program. Louis worked for six years as a middle and high school science teacher before her current role as an instructional coach.
As a CADRE Fellow, Louis will attend webinars and networking sessions and work on a career-development project. She will also participate in activities designed to prepare her for becoming a tenure-track faculty member at a university.
“I believe direct contact with the NSF program directors will provide an opportunity to receive feedback and support to better draft successful grants. With the help of the CADRE fellowship, I will also have the opportunity to engage with professionals in the field who may provide insight into the next steps in the grant writing process,” she said. “This fellowship offers a community willing to be thought partners to offer equitable spaces for all science learners.”
For more information about the fellowship program, visit http://cadrek12.org/cadre-fellows.
