Spotlight

Jessica Scheimer

Cred. '10, MA '11

Jessica Scheimer knows that one great teacher can change a life. Her own high school physics teacher was so passionate about his subject, Scheimer decided to become a science teacher herself.

Today, Scheimer, who earned her teaching credential and master of arts degree at the School of Education, teaches physics at a high school in Sacramento and is one of 36 early career teachers nationwide to win a prestigious five-year $150,000 Knowles Science Teaching Fellowship. The award recognizes individuals committed to being leaders and change agents in education.

Jessica is an exemplar of the teachers coming up in the School, which prepares its graduates to question the status quo, gather data, identify problems, and implement solutions that meet the needs of a diverse student population.

At the School of Education, we believe preparing great teachers is essential to achieving meaningful change in education. “I don’t know of another university that has made teacher education such a single point of focus,” says Professor Christian Faltis, who holds the Dolly and David Fiddyment Chair in Teacher Education. “Our program values social justice and equity among students with diverse abilities and backgrounds.”

As an undergraduate Jessica participated in the UC Davis Math and Science Teaching (MAST) program and has worked as a counselor for the Young Scholars Program (UCD-YSP) for the last two years.

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