Sergio Anaya Has Been Named a 2019 Pennsylvania STEM Ambassador
Sergio Anaya, Director of Teaching, Learning and Innovation at the Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) has been accepted as one of 31 ambassadors in the Pennsylvania STEM Ambassador Program, which aims to shape the future of STEM education in the commonwealth by targeting vital policy conversations to legislative leadership in the areas of STEM Learning ecosystems, computer science, state and federal policy for formal and informal education, and workforce needs.
PA STEM Ambassadors met for an inaugural training session today at the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN), a statewide training and professional development organization through the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Bureau of Special Education.
In DCIU’s continuing efforts to uphold its vision to empower partnerships that drive, create, inspire and understand excellence in education, DCIU created the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation (TLI) in 2017. This dynamic department focuses on supporting STEM learning throughout Delaware County and the region.
“The TLI department leads STEM, computer science, and innovative practices across our region,” state Sergio Anaya. “Our goal is to provide individuals, schools, and the community access to cutting edge research, practices and technology to prepare our stakeholders for the 21st century world. We help foster and inspire innovative students, teachers, administrators and school communities to fuse the uncommon, take risks and think big!”
Representing leaders and emerging leaders in corporate, PreK-12 and higher education, and afterschool programs from 22 counties, PA STEM Ambassadors have agreed to invest the next nine months in training and policy development to share expertise and content knowledge with influential stakeholders to help develop a stronger voice in shaping STEM education policy issues.
“In order for Pennsylvania to lead in STEM policy, we need to develop leaders across the state to advocate for bipartisan support in advancing STEM Education policies and to have the respect and influence to affect change,” said Laura Saccente, director of Pennsylvania Statewide afterschool and Youth Development Network (PSAYDN). “PA STEM Ambassadors have been vital part in shaping STEM education and workforce policies.”
“DCIU is honored to be amongst this distinguished group of leaders and we look forward to not only contributing to such an important conversation, but also to driving the conversation in our region, and benefiting from Mr. Anaya’s growing expertise in STEM and technology innovation, and his exposure to like-minded change leaders in this arena,” stated Dr. Maria Edelberg, DCIU’s executive director.
PSAYDN collaborated with the Education Policy and Leadership Center (EPLC), the national STEM Education Coalition, the Afterschool Alliance, 2018 National STEM Ambassador Jeff Remington and staff from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, through the PA STEM Education Coalition, to provide training support to the ambassadors.
About DCIU
DCIU is a regional education services agency, one of 29 Intermediate Units in the state that were established in 1971 by the Pennsylvania General Assembly. For more than 45 years, DCIU has been providing leadership for the development of innovative and cost-effective programs and services to meet the needs of our county’s school communities. We provide quality instructional and operational services to school districts, charter schools, and non-public and private schools in and around Delaware County. Additionally, DCIU is a direct provider of quality instruction to nearly 10,000 students, from birth to 21, enrolled in DCIU’s Special Programs, Early Childhood programs, Career and Technical Education and other specialized programs. We also serve more than 6,000 educators on a regional basis through technology support, professional development and continuing education.
About PSAYDN
Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network (PSAYDN) promotes sustainable, high-quality out-of-school time youth development programs through advocacy and capacity building to enhance the welfare of Pennsylvania’s children, youth and families. PSAYDN believes all children and youth deserve access to programs that encourage positive youth development and support the successful transition to adulthood. PSAYDN is managed by the Center for Schools and Communities. More information is available at www.PSAYDN.org.
