Robert Cushman

Zuni High School

As a child, the natural world wowed and awed me. While my parents and mentors might have been frustrated by pockets of reptiles or pounds of rocks I snuck home, they encouraged this discovery. Later, as I learned to observe and explore related phenomena and I discovered processes to answer my own questions I was thrilled. This educational and intellectual growth was one of the greatest rewards I could experience – as I matured I realized that many children do not get the experience I had taken for granted.

Equitable science education is sorely needed throughout New Mexico and as a Noyce Master Teacher Fellow, my goal is to help diverse students, especially in rural, low income locations, to have equal access to quality STEM education. I’m passionate that students deserve culturally relevant, place-based, hands-on science instruction while also providing opportunities to help them expand their horizons so each child in New Mexico can see their potential and hopefully experience the wonder I did in my youth.