Jeanette Marks, a teacher at Sarasota Military Academy, was recently accepted to the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory summer Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) Program. CPT Marks is one of only ten teachers throughout the nation, and the only teacher from Sarasota County, selected for the program.
The National MagLab RET Program is a six-week residential program funded by the National Science Foundation to give ten K-12 teachers the opportunity to participate in real-world science at the world’s largest and highest-powered magnet lab. RET participants spend six weeks working with science and engineering experts who conduct research at the MagLab’s headquarters facility at Florida State University (FSU). While enrolled, participants are given a stipend and reside on campus in dorms at FSU.
“I learned about the RET Program while searching for continuing education programs for teachers and was excited to apply for this prestigious opportunity,” said CPT Jeanette Marks, Sarasota Military Academy Science Instructor. “Finding ways to help students learn how the world operates, and ways they can improve their world, is one of my greatest challenges as a teacher. It is my goal to continue searching for opportunities and ways to positively impact our students and expand our curriculum.”
CPT Marks, a teacher at SMA for two years, previously served as a volunteer for the US Peace Corps and through training courses provided by the UF/IFAS extension program, has received the designation of Florida Master Naturalist and Florida Water Steward. She graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelors of Science in Biology and Political Science.
“Sarasota Military Academy is incredibly fortunate to have teachers such as CPT Jeanette Marks, an accomplished teacher, researcher and global citizen,” said SMA-COL Christina Bowman, Sarasota Military Academy Executive Director of Schools. “Giving our cadets the opportunity to learn from teachers with such passion and knowledge is one of the many goals of our Academy. We are excited to watch our cadets continue to learn and grow under the leadership of CPT Marks and our dedicated staff.”
The work for the RET program is performed at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory at Florida State University, and the program and lab are supported by the National Science Foundation Cooperative Agreement (Number DMR – 1644779) and the State of Florida.
About the Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) Program
Funded by the National Science Foundation (DMR-1644779), this six-week residential program gives teachers from across the country the chance to participate in hands-on science within the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, the world’s largest and highest-powered magnet facility. Through weekly seminars, discussion groups, professional development and technology workshops, teachers develop strategies and resources to translate the experience into material for their classrooms. Teachers are expected to return to their jobs as leaders in service education, implementing science research in their classrooms. To learn more, visit https://nationalmaglab.org/education/teachers/professional-development/research-experiences-for-teachers.
About Sarasota Military Academy
Founded in 2002, Sarasota Military Academy (SMA) is a public charter school, college preparatory academy and an accredited IB Diploma and Middle Years Programme (MYP) School with two campuses located in Sarasota, Florida. Combining extraordinary academics with the highest military principles of camaraderie, focus, leadership, integrity, compassion, poise, honor and respect, SMA’s mission is to graduate young men and women who will confidently define their personal and unique goals for success in a multi-cultural and globalized world. Sarasota Military Academy High School is located at 801 N. Orange Avenue and Sarasota Military Academy Prep Middle School, is located at 3101 Bethel Lane. To learn more about SMA, visit http://www.sarasotamilitaryacademy.org/.
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