By Antoineta Meekins
Born and raised in The Bronx, Keturah Pelle embarked on a mission fueled by her passion for empowering the next generation and uplifting her community. Armed with dual degrees in English and Africana Studies, Keturah’s academic background laid the foundation for her commitment to working with young people in her neighborhood.
Keturah’s journey gained momentum when she started working with middle schoolers in Harlem. In this role, she supported English Language Arts teachers whose curriculum integrated elements of STEM programming.
Her introduction to ExpandED Schools in 2012 marked a pivotal moment in her professional growth. The organization’s professional development courses equipped her with invaluable skills and techniques to effectively engage students. Through hands-on training and innovative approaches, Keturah found herself empowered to make a meaningful impact in the lives of her students.
Despite transitioning into different roles within education, Keturah’s dedication to STEM education remained unwavering. The reintroduction to ExpandED Schools in 2021 reignited her enthusiasm for inclusive and interactive STEM lessons. It was then that she joined ExpandED Schools’ STEM Educators Academy, a program designed to support educators’ sense of belonging in STEM and their ability to deliver inclusive and interactive STEM lessons for publicly funded after-school programs.
Being part of this community of educators and ExpandED Schools’ commitment to providing accessible training opportunities resonated deeply with Keturah, enabling her to empower her staff and students alike.
“They were very supportive. I was able to pick their brains if I had any questions about supplies or funding. They were able to find a way to provide us with additional funding so that we could buy supplies and gave us more opportunities to hone in on our craft. ExpandED was able to give us that extra human piece,” said Keturah.
ExpandED Schools’ emphasis on building interest and relevance in STEM activities without the need for extensive resources struck a chord with Keturah. In many communities across New York City, where funding constraints often limit educational opportunities, the organization’s approach proved to be a game-changer. Ninety percent of U.S. school districts serving Black and Latinx students have trouble recruiting and retaining STEM teachers, which creates disparities in STEM education and career opportunities. ExpandED Schools developed the STEM Educators Academy (SEA) to reduce these disparities. SEA empowers educators with training, materials, and confidence to offer youth-centered, engaging, and academically rich STEM afterschool programs for middle school students and, most recently, expands to serve upper elementary students.
Keturah’s vision for the future is grounded in simplicity and inclusivity. As the programs director at SoBro, a nonprofit organization committed to comprehensive community development, she aims to further her growth within the organization. Keturah aspires to cultivate a straightforward, easy-to-implement STEM system for future educators while ensuring students have a safe environment to both learn and play.
As a leader, she understands the importance of motivating her staff so that they show up every day excited to teach students. Currently, she oversees 9 staff members and 90 students, a responsibility she takes seriously as she strives to create a nurturing environment where both educators and students thrive.
“We have to show up excited about it! Because if the person who is facilitating isn’t excited about it, then the students will not be excited about it. We have to find a way to make it fun and relevant because they feed off of us,” said Keturah.
In the school year 2023–24, STEM Educators Academy is training 80 educators, such as Keturah, to offer culturally relevant STEM activities to 1,500 students aged 9-13 across 35 publicly funded afterschool sites. Educators who participate mirror the demographics of their students and serve as STEM role models.
When young people see facilitators who look like them leading relevant lessons about STEM icons and scientists who also mirror their likeness, they become more engaged, and the door into the STEM field has opened wider because now it is attainable.
