Advancing on the STEM battle field: how RESPECT fits in

With STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) education evolving, it is impossible to forget the most obvious obstacle to cross: finding adequate teachers for the job. But that is what RESPECT is for.

Standing for Recognizing Educational Success, Professional Excellence and Collaborative Teaching, this project was launched by President Obama. RESPECT was birthed in the hopes that teachers will better learn how to do their job to the best of their ability, as well as teach kids what they need to know to become the men and women that will one day lead this world.

The Department of Education formally discussed what the project is hopefully going to achieve in the RESPECT Program Proposal.

"Our larger goal is to bring a new generation of well-prepared, bright and capable men and women into the classroom from a diversity of backgrounds," the statement read.

Secretary Duncan put that into his own words and expressed the critical part education plays in the next generation's future lives at the launch of the RESPECT project.

“We need to redefine what it means to teach in today’s global economy,” Secretary Duncan said. “Because what you learn in school today is the foundation for what you will need to know tomorrow to be successful.”

It becomes even more critical that teachers learn how to appropriately approach the fields of science, technology, engineering and math because of the heavy weight that STEM careers will put on the world in the future. Without those four fields, and teachers who are capable of teaching them, the United States will grow even more technologically behind and fall short of the world's standards in the categories of STEM. Because of this, project RESPECT may seem like a heavy responsibility, but it is one that all teachers should be proud to take up, as well as excited to dive into.

To learn more about project RESPECT, visit Homeroom and Education Week.