Oak Knoll School grades 3-6 STEM teacher Regina Cherill has been selected as one of only nine educators from New Jersey to join a cohort of STEM Pioneers through the National Science Foundation-funded STEM Teacher Corps Regional Alliance Pilot.

The highly competitive program brings together nearly 30 elementary and middle school STEM educators from across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and West Virginia to advance innovative science and engineering instruction and strengthen STEM education in their schools and communities.

Facilitated by Penn State University’s Center for Science and the Schools (CSATS), the four-year initiative provides participants with advanced professional learning experiences, collaborative research opportunities, and direct access to emerging best practices in STEM education. Through summer institutes, ongoing implementation support, and regional collaboration, participants work to bring cutting-edge science and engineering learning experiences to students.

“Regina’s selection is a testament to both her expertise as an educator and her commitment to continually enhancing the learning experience for our students,” said Christine Spies, Lower School Division Head. “Opportunities like this ensure that Oak Knoll students benefit from the latest research, instructional practices, and real-world STEM applications being explored by leaders in the field.”

Cherill was selected through a competitive application process and will collaborate with fellow STEM educators throughout the Mid-Atlantic region while participating in advanced training focused on engineering design, scientific inquiry, and sustainability education.

“I am so deeply honored to be selected as a STEM Pioneer,” Cherill said. “Science has always brought me such joy, and I still get a thrill watching students light up over a new connection, an experiment, or an unexpected result. I love working in elementary science, specifically for the sense of wonder and discovery students experience.

“This opportunity feels especially meaningful because it connects me with passionate elementary educators dedicated to bringing new ideas, experiences, and real-world sustainability applications to classrooms across the region,” she added.

The experience will culminate in a national gathering hosted by the National Science Foundation in Washington, D.C.

Cherill’s selection reflects Oak Knoll’s commitment to academic excellence and investment in faculty who continually seek new ways to challenge, inspire, and prepare students for an increasingly complex and innovation-driven world.