Rene’ Carson
NOAA
Office of Education
2005-06
Arkansas – Middle level science
Rene’ enjoyed the trips to the Hill when she visited the various committee meetings and came to understand what was going on. She also enjoyed being with the Fellows and one of her favorite times was the weekend with the scientists on the NOAA boat. She visited Hawaii to inspect several NOAA facilities there and to see how NOAA grant money was being used. During her Fellowship, Rene wrote a children’s book about Hurricane Katrina to share with children in the storm ravaged area. It is still being used to teach concepts about hurricanes and hurricane safety. After her Fellowship, Rene’ began work at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in the Dean’s Office of the College of Education. She is the Licensure Officer, the NCATE Coordinator, and she teaches a class for Master’s level science teachers. She was recently selected to be on a state task force to re-examine the licensure rules for candidates entering the teaching profession in Arkansas. She says, “I have become a Nana since I left my fellowship and will add another new grandson very soon. Life is good! Being selected as a Fellow was an honor and one that will stay with me forever. Just being in DC was awesome. The year as a Fellow instills in you the confidence that is needed to pursue opportunities outside your comfort zone My Fellowship year gave me the confidence to work with professionals in the world of higher education. This was an opportunity that will always be remembered.”