Through the help of caring and concerned teachers, Deontrel Brownlee, age 23, overcame life challenges and now Brownlee will become a teacher concerned about the many youths in need.
Brownlee was awarded the Siemens Teacher Scholarship at Harris-Stowe State University, a distinction that recognizes students enrolled at historically black universities who have committed to becoming a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) teacher.
Brownlee is one of 30 students nationwide to receive a $4,400 scholarship from the Siemens Foundation and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
Brownlee, a senior at HSSU and a secondary education major, at first with disbelief about winning the Siemens Scholarship. Harris-Stowe financial aid assistant Thurman Young, who helped him apply for the scholarship, confirmed to Brownlee that he did win the scholarship.
Brownlee formerly taught sixth grade Science at Westview Middle School in the Riverview Gardens School District. Brownlee made such an impact that the students complained when he missed a day.
“You cannot teach without being a mentor,” Brownlee said.
A graduate of Normandy High School, Brownlee knew he wanted to become a teacher. When he was younger Brownlee had teachers who encouraged him and were like father figures. A relative also taught him how to perform better in school and valuable life skills.
It was not for those concerned teachers, Brownlee said, “I’d be a lost child. I didn’t have high hopes.”
Brownlee believes that today’s youth do not understand that in order to succeed they must work hard.
“Everything they want they have to work hard for,” Brownlee said.
It doest not matter to Brownlee where he teaches as long as he impacts the youth and show them a positive side to living life – “as long as I make a difference,” Brownlee said.
The Siemens program provides scholars with a fun, laboratory-style teaching opportunity through the foundation’s Siemens Science Day program, www.siemensscienceday.com. This nationwide initiative in partnership with Discovery Education has reached more than 54,000 elementary and middle school students in 36 states since its inception in 2006.
“We know the value of good teachers, and we’re committed to encouraging scholars who want to teach vital STEM subjects,” said Jeniffer Harper-Taylor, Siemens Foundation president and vice president of the Siemens Foundation and a graduate of Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA.
The foundation funds more than $7 million annually in support of educational initiatives in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in the United States.
“The Siemens Foundation’s investment in increasing the pipeline of highly-qualified minority teachers in STEM fields directly addresses the national call to higher education to produce the caliber of students that will shape the future,” said Dr. N. Joyce Payne, Founder, Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
For further information, visit www.siemens-foundation.org.
