Quaker Valley teacher Dado named Pennsylvania STEM Ambassador

Matt Dado, technology and engineering teacher at Quaker Valley High School, has been accepted as one of 19 ambassadors in the Pennsylvania STEM Ambassador Program. The program 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 Feb. 28 at the Pennsylvania School Boards Association to receive advocacy training from state and national leaders in the field.

“Matt’s creativity and foresight into what technology can be for the students of Quaker Valley are commendable. We are proud of him and sure that he will bring tremendous things back to the students and staff at Quaker Valley,” said Dr. Tammy A. Andreyko, superintendent of Quaker Valley Schools.

“Being a STEM Ambassador for Pennsylvania is such an honor and privilege,” Dado said. “I’m very fortunate Dr. Andreyko encouraged and supported me to pursue this incredible opportunity. My only hope is this role will continue to provide students with even more STEM opportunities that are relevant, rigorous and state-of-the-art not only at Quaker Valley but in other districts across the state.”

Representing leaders and emerging leaders in corporate, pre-K-12 and higher education, and afterschool programs from 15 counties, PA STEM Ambassadors have agreed to invest 10 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.

“The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a leader in STEM and, to maintain that edge, we must develop leaders to advocate for bipartisan support in advancing, impactful STEM education policies,” said Steven Williams, associate director of the Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network. “The PA STEM Ambassadors are vital to shaping STEM education and workforce policies. They played a role in shaping PAsmart and the landscape of STEM Learning Ecosystems.”

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 and Pennsylvania Department of Labor to provide training support to the ambassadors. This year, STEM Ambassadors will have an option of a leadership track, as well.

“Quaker Valley School District will have a voice in the commonwealth on STEM education. Students should rely and build on skills they attained in school to support their future careers with or without continuing education, something STEM provides students,” Dado said. “I’m looking forward to being an advocate for our students across the state.”