At the Duncan vs. Bishop McGuinness football game, Duncan Principal Lisha Elroy and teacher Sandy Ferguson were presented a check for Science and Math education for Duncan High School by the people of Oklahoma Oil & Natural Gas.
This support will be benefiting Duncan STEM programs and teachers. Sandy Ferguson is one of the staff members benefiting from the donation.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. Your hobbies, your passions.
I am in my 30th year of working in education.
What classes do/did you teach?
I have taught 1st, pre-1st, 4th, 5th in all subjects and 6th math. I am currently the 4th – 9th grade STEM Coordinator for DPS.
Where did you go to college and what led you into teaching?
I graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma. I had a fantastic sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Coleman at Irving Elementary, who impacted me. I would constantly take things apart and try to figure out why they worked or fix them if they were broken. She was kind and encouraged her students’ curiosity. Mrs. Coleman and my inner drive to continually learn how and why things work led me to a teaching career.
Who mentored you into the educator you are today?
Mrs. Coleman planted the educator seed, but I have had several excellent mentors throughout the years.
What do you love about teaching?
You have heard the cliche “The light bulb comes on.” It is indeed the moment when a student realizes how something works. Of course, there isn’t a light bulb, but their face lights up with a smile, or you see it in their eyes and hear it in their voice. That is why we educators do what we do.
What is great about your current school?
I have worked with DPS for all my 30 years in education. I was born and raised here, and this district has been very good to me. I have been able to change grade levels, school sites, and positions. I have been a classroom teacher, an instructional coach, a virtual teacher, and a current STEM coordinator. This district has helped my confidence as an educator and allowed me to grow professionally. I will retire with DPS.
The People of Oklahoma Oil and Natural Gas are committed to supporting STEM education. Why is teaching Science and Math so important?
There is more to Science and Math (STEM) than a lab coat and a calculator. A solid foundation in Science and Math can open the door to various careers. We all know that our future is moving technologically fast. Taking STEM classes will prepare students for those jobs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 10,712.4K of the 167,849.8K in 2023 are STEM occupations.(https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/stem-employment.htm).
Humans naturally have an “I wonder…” way of thinking; taking STEM classes helps narrow that focus to ultimately guide a student to success.
