FPL EMPOWERing STEM Educators Program Wraps Up Another Successful Year in St. Johns County
Investing in Kids is proud to celebrate another successful year of the FPL EmPOWERing STEM Educators grant, a partnership that continues to strengthen STEM education across St. Johns County schools by investing directly in our teachers.
Made possible through the financial support of Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations, and in collaboration with the St. Johns County School District, this innovative professional development initiative helps St. Johns County educators expand their academic area content knowledge, strengthen STEM instructional practices, and prepare for Florida certification exams in science and mathematics, while inspiring student learning and achievement in STEM courses.
STEM Teacher Certification Success in St. Johns County
During the 2025-2026 school year, seven middle school science teachers participated in peer-led instruction and coaching designed to deepen subject matter expertise and enhance classroom instruction. We are proud to report that all seven teachers successfully passed the Florida General Science Certification Exam.
This year also marked the expansion of this program through a math certification pilot. Six middle and high school teachers and paraprofessionals participated in peer-led learning sessions and coaching. As a result, two educators earned their Florida Math Certification, including one teacher serving students at the high school level and one teacher supporting students through St. Johns Virtual School.
Impact on STEM Students and Classrooms
The impact extends far beyond the teachers participating in this peer-to-peer professional development. Approximately 1,050 students benefited from engaging, hands-on, and project-based science instruction delivered by newly certified science teachers. An additional 150 students benefited from enhanced mathematics instruction provided by newly certified math educators. In total, nearly 1,200 students experienced stronger STEM learning opportunities because of this year’s program.
Led by District Secondary Science Program Specialists Marna Fox and Stephen Kirsch, and Math Program Specialists Jenna Yow and Jessica Plant, the program focuses on increasing teachers’ subject matter knowledge while expanding instructional strategies that engage, motivate, and inspire students in STEM classrooms. Participants also receive coaching and support designed to help new and second-career educators successfully earn Florida certification credentials.
Beyond certification success, participants gained new instructional strategies and teaching techniques that can be immediately applied in the classroom to improve student engagement and academic achievement.
Three-Year Results Demonstrate Strong Teacher Retention and Certification Rates
The long-term results of the FPL EmPOWERing STEM Educators program demonstrate the effectiveness of investing in teacher development. Over the past three years, 30 teachers have participated in the program’s peer-led learning sessions designed to support certification and strengthen STEM instruction.
Of those 30 participants, 26 successfully achieved certification, representing an impressive 86.6% certification pass rate. Even more significantly, 28 of those educators remain in St. Johns County School District classrooms today, resulting in a 93.3% teacher retention rate.
These outcomes highlight the program’s dual impact: helping educators earn valuable credentials while supporting teacher retention in critical STEM subject areas. As certified teachers remain in local classrooms, thousands of students continue to benefit from stronger instruction and expanded STEM learning opportunities.
Continuous Improvement and Future Growth
Like any innovative initiative, the program also provided valuable lessons for future growth. Program leaders identified scheduling challenges and participant recruitment as areas for refinement. Future plans include increasing the number of peer-led learning sessions, and enhancing program modules based on participant feedback.
Investing in STEM Education for the Future
At INK!, we know that investing in teachers is one of the most effective ways to invest in students. We are grateful to Florida Power & Light and the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations for helping create opportunities that strengthen STEM education, empower educators, and inspire the next generation of innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders in St. Johns County.
Together, we are investing in brighter futures through STEM education and teacher professional development.
