Terrie Rust
National Science Foundation
Human Resources Directorate, Division of Research in Learning in Formal and Informal Settings, Lifelong Learning Cluster
2010-11
Arizona, Middle School Technology
Terrie Rust taught technology and career exploration to seventh and eighth grade students for 18 years at Oasis Elementary School in the Peoria Unified School District, Peoria, Arizona. As one of the teachers initially hired to launch the Technology, Life, Careers program for the elementary schools in the district in 1992, Rust built a program at her school that was recognized nationally for excellence by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) in March 2010. She developed a passion for the topics of technology and career development, serving on all of her district’s technology committees and career development committees. Terrie’s enthusiasm for the field of technology led to the creation of a Girls Exploring Technology (G.E.T.) club at her school, which provides girls a greater opportunity to explore areas of technology often under-represented by women. Rust explains how the program began and operates in the article “Girls Exploring Technology (G.E.T.): A Program to Involve Girls in Underserved Careers,” published in the Fall 2006 issue of Illinois Journal of Technology Education. She was awarded the Visible Difference Award from the Arizona Association of Career and Technical Education in 2007 for her work with G.E.T.
Rust holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in Home Economics from San Jose State University. She also received her teacher training there, and credits the teacher program for instilling in her the passion for life-long learning and the zeal to share what she’s learned with others. After teaching technology for 9 years, Rust decided she wanted more of her personal education to reflect what she taught, and earned a M.Ed. in Educational Technology degree from Northern Arizona University, graduating with Distinction. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. Terrie holds several teaching certifications in both Arizona and California.
ITEEA recognized Rust in 2006 with their Teacher Excellence Award, and her contributions to the field of Technology Education were acknowledged through the receipt of the Distinguished Technology Educator citation by ITEEA in March 2011.
Terrie served as a 2010-2011 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow at the National Science Foundation’s Education and Human Resources Directorate, Division of Research in Learning in Formal and Informal Settings, Lifelong Learning Cluster.