Continuing to be trailblazers, Joe Lee Johnson Elementary STEAM Academy earned one of the most prestigious honors that can be awarded to a school in the area of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) by being named a National Project Lead the Way Distinguished and Showcase School.
Named a Showcase School in January, the campus recently learned of their additional distinction and earned the honor by exceeding PLTW’s set goals for student access and engagement. Joe Lee Johnson Elementary STEAM Academy is one of two schools in Texas selected for this distinction.
To earn the initial title of Showcase School, the campus was observed and found to exemplify the core values and goals of Project Lead the Way. In the three site visits to the campus, more than 100 school leaders from 25 school districts observed their implementation of Project Lead the Way (PLTW) with many coming back for more than one visit.
“Our designation as a National Project Lead the Way Showcase School speaks to our vision statement of Trailblazers becoming the best version of themselves and owning their future to create a lasting legacy,” Joe Lee Johnson Principal Gabi Nino said. “Our staff, students and community have all played an integral part in this recognition of our campus and we look forward to showing the nation the positive impact that Joe Lee Johnson will have on the world.”
Campus leaders contribute the success to the authentic, observable actions of the entire school’s work with students to transform educational experiences.
“We are committed to serving the whole student and developing their ability to problem solve and find unique solutions that can be applied in a real-world environment,” Superintendent Steve Flores, Ph.D said. “The staff and students of Joe Lee Johnson Elementary STEAM Academy are dedicated to embodying this vision as they have continually surpassed expectations and created a culture of discovery, achievement and support.”
Through the activity, project and problem-based curriculum, PLTW gives students in kindergarten through high school a chance to apply what they know, identify problems, find unique solutions and lead their own learning.
