Educator Okhee Lee to speak across USA on ending disparities in STEM standards for English learners

NEW YORK - Oct. 30, 2019 - PRLog -- Okhee Lee, visionary education scholar recognized for her push to develop new English language proficiency standards with the goal to end disparities in STEM subjects for English learners, will deliver her message in keynote addresses across the nation.

Lee is a leading scholar recognized for her work in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education with diverse student groups. The professor of childhood education at New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development is widely known for advancing research, policy, and practice that simultaneously promote science and language learning for all students, including English learners.

"Low expectations in English language proficiency standards for English learners are holding these students back from their ability to achieve academically rigorous STEM standards expected of them to be ready for college or careers when graduating from high school. It is my hope to bring to the table scholars from English-learner education and STEM subjects to establish English language proficiency standards that will serve to uplift these children," Lee said.

Her speaking schedule to date includes:

Nov. 2-4 – Science Teachers Association of New York State's 124th Annual Conference in Rochester
·     Panel member of keynote presentation on "Transforming Innovations into Reality in Science"
·     Panel member for special Sunday breakfast event
Nov. 9 – Keynote speaker at Connecticut Science Teachers Association: Educators Conference in Southbury
Dec. 6 – Keynote speaker at Quinnipiac University, School of Education in North Haven, Conn.
Jan. 31– Invited speaker at the Graduate School of Education 2019 Colloquium Series at the University of Buffalo
Feb. 9-11 – Hoosier Association of Science Teachers Conference in Indianapolis

Earlier in October, Dr. Lee joined prominent international science and engineering experts at the Embassy of Sweden in Washington, D.C., for a seminar on inclusive learning, education and workforce development in future global societies. She participated in a panel discussion on how to increase engagement of underrepresented groups in engineering education with fellow panelists: Christine Cunningham, professor of Education and Engineering, Pennsylvania State University; Björn Åstrand of Umeå University, Sweden, an investigator for the Swedish government; and Eva Lundgren, school policy expert for the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences.

Also, in October, Dr. Lee was keynote speaker at the Oregon Science Teachers Association's Conference. In September, Dr. Lee delivered the keynote address at the Nebraska Academy of Sciences/ Nebraska Association of Teachers of Science Conference.