UW’s 2021 Storer Scholars were named during an online ceremony. From top left to lower
right are: Addie Deupree, a Teton Science Schools (TSS) faculty member and coordinator
for the Storer Scholars Program; Leslie Cook, senior director of educator development
at TSS; Kaycee Kelly, a secondary English education major from Shell; Addison Perryman,
a secondary science education major of Cheyenne; Emmalee Hoopes, an elementary education
major from Sheridan; Citlalli Almejo-Ponce, an elementary education major of Riverton;
Kim Johnson, a master’s degree student in the natural science education, and environment
and natural resources program from Rockville Centre, N.Y.; Michaela McGee, an elementary
education and special education major of Montara, Calif.; and Katrin “Kate” Herden,
an elementary education major from Laramie. (UW Photo)
Seven University of Wyoming students will receive hands-on training in place-based
science education with Teton Science Schools (TSS) this summer as part of the Storer
Scholars Program.
The students recently were honored during an online ceremony.
Citlalli Almejo-Ponce, of Riverton; Katrin “Kate” Herden, of Laramie; Emmalee Hoopes,
of Sheridan; Kim Johnson, of Rockville Centre, N.Y.; Kaycee Kelly, of Shell; Michaela
McGee, of Montara, Calif.; and Addison Perryman, of Cheyenne, were named the 2021
cohort of Storer Scholars.
The students include undergraduates from the UW College of Education and a master’s
degree student from the Science and Math Teaching Center. The students will receive
a stipend and support a virtual program called Dive into Place this summer.
The Storer Scholars will receive training from TSS to gain a deep understanding of
place-based education and the TSS framework. They will use their newfound knowledge
to create video energizers for the Dive into Place virtual program. This program sends
students out on hourlong missions in their communities using smartphones to explore
the ecology, culture and economy of their places.
“This year, due to our COVID-19 modifications, all of the Storer Scholars will be
working remotely to create videos to support the Dive into Place program,” says Addie
Deupree, a TSS faculty member and coordinator for the Storer Scholars Program. “They
will build knowledge and skills in the creation of videos; write scripts; review and
give feedback for each other’s work; and finalize edits. These videos are intended
to be an opportunity for Storer Scholars to apply what they learn from the place-based
education course in a practical way.”
Here is more information about this year’s Storer Scholars:
-- Almejo-Ponce is majoring in elementary education. She was described by Associate
Professor Amy Roberts as “a serious and mature individual who is driven by a motivation
to obtain a high level of achievement and meaning. She is regarded by classmates,
professors and mentors as a model University of Wyoming student.”
-- Herden is an elementary education major. “She is a smart and positive independent
thinker who enjoys learning and teaching others,” says Joseph Schroer, an assistant
lecturer. “She is passionate about children learning in the outdoor environment, and
she supports the development of community alongside cultural knowledge, promoting
equality in her groups and in the broader community and state at large.”
-- Hoopes is majoring in elementary education at UW. “Emmalee is dedicated and passionate
to equitable opportunities for all individuals.” says Christi Thompson, coordinator
of the Teacher Preparation and Advising Office. “She has successfully demonstrated
an extremely strong willingness and ability to be flexible with unexpected challenges.
Emmalee is enthusiastic and engaged in promoting student success in the classroom
and in the community.”
-- Johnson is a master’s degree student in the natural science education, and environment
and natural resources program. “Kimberly is very professional. She has high standards
for student work and is reflective of her practice and interactions with students,”
says Dan McCoy, an associate lecturer. “She wants to continue to improve through feedback
and retrospection, a trait that is highly important as an educator.”
-- Kelly is a secondary English education major in the College of Education. “Kaycee’s
sensitivity and responsiveness to others’ needs were among the qualities I recognized
most keenly in her many strengths,” says Associate Lecturer April Heaney. “She listens
carefully to others’ thoughts, shows compassion and sincerity, and continues to process
conversations after they have occurred. She is adept at understanding even high-level
feedback and making immediate revisions.”
-- McGee is majoring in elementary education and special education. “Michaela is continually
working to better prepare herself for her future as an educator,” says Associate Lecturer
Tiffany Hunt. “She is truly passionate about education and wants to become an effective
and successful teacher.”
-- Perryman is a secondary science education major. “Addison has worked to help students
become more confident and excited about biology,” says Jess Willford, a manager in
UW’s LeaRN Program. “As a tutor, Addison is exceedingly patient and invested in her
students’ success. Addison is very accomplished at taking complex concepts and putting
them into terms that students can easily understand. Addison promotes independent
learning. She wants students to become confident in their academics and college life,
and creates opportunities for students to practice and hone these skills.”
