FOREST CITY, N.C. –Jeny Keeter, a teacher at Pinnacle Elementary School, has been awarded a prestigious Kenan Fellowship to elevate STEM education within her school district.
This initiative marks Meta’s sixth consecutive year of support for the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership at N.C. State University underscores Meta’s long-standing commitment to fostering industry-education partnerships in Western North Carolina since 2010.
Immersive Fellowship
As part of her year-long fellowship, Keeter will collaborate with Conserving Carolina, a nonprofit regional land trust dedicated to protecting and restoring the natural world. This immersive experience will provide Keeter with hands-on professional learning opportunities focused on environmental science, fostering teamwork, environmental stewardship, and resources for exposing students to potential educational and career paths in related fields.
“I believe that fostering partnerships between schools and community entities is essential. The students in our classrooms today represent the future of the local workforce and community partnerships. It is crucial for educators to understand the local job market and workforce demands to better prepare students for future opportunities,” Keeter stated.
Competitive Selection Process
Kenan Fellowships are competitive awards for K-12 educators statewide. They feature professional learning institutes that emphasize workforce education, community engagement, and leadership development. Fellows continue their school roles throughout the year-long program, applying their new knowledge in real time.
“The commitment from industry leaders like Meta enables us to equip educators with the tools to build bridges between classroom learning and the demands of the evolving workforce,” stated Vance Kite, director of the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership.