Endorsement from Dr. Ellen McCrary-Mayer, Psy.D., M.Ed.

May 5, 2024

I am writing to enthusiastically recommend Jerry Branson for the development of a STEM application program for K-12, aimed at preparing young people for a lifetime of STEM engagement. As a kindergarten teacher with a Psy.D. in psychology and a master’s in education (M.Ed.) and extensive experience in mentoring and teaching learners pre-school through middle school age, I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand Jerry's exceptional ability to inspire and engage students across grade levels.

A few years ago, I invited Jerry to mentor one of my Kindergartners in the Title 1 mentoring program at a public IB PYP school. This school an International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program school that structures and engages all of our students from preschool to 5th grade in hands-on, inquiry based learning. What began as a short-term student interview of an engineering expert about a specific question quickly evolved into a dynamic science and engineering club, with Jerry at the helm. His enthusiasm for STEM education is infectious, and it wasn't long before the student's father asked if his other children could participate. Soon other students and families were eager to join the program. I have seen Jerry work with students from kindergarten through sixth grade, and his approach is nothing short of remarkable. Rather than dictating what students should learn, Jerry empowers them to explore their interests and discover the relevance of STEM concepts in their lives. For example, as the kindergartener expressed deeper and deeper curiosity about how magnets work, Jerry seized the opportunity to introduce concepts of atoms and relativity, igniting a passion for learning that extended to algebra and beyond.

This remarkable example deserves background. In order to explain magnets at that level requires relativity which, in turn, requires algebra. These are elementary school students, and as Jerry answered these questions, he initially ended with "That's what I can teach you right now. When you know algebra in a few years, we can go much deeper." The next week they asked him to teach them algebra. This is what Jerry does - he lets students discover what they could do if they learn a subject and then presents the subject to them, applying it to what they are interested in. But this story does not end here. Jerry contacted me a few weeks later and asked if I would listen to the students’ presentation of their learning about relativity. The fourth-grade student in the group asked to teach others about what he had learned about the subject. This request was due to Jerry’s message affirming the pedagogical approach and learning cycle used in IB PYP schools that the best way to learn something deeply is to teach it to others. The talk was given to half a dozen people and was delightfully insightful. The students were not only knowledgeable, but passionate about sharing their knowledge and able to respond effectively to adult audience questions.

Jerry's approach to early education is to let students formulate a question, learn about it, and then take action or apply this knowledge. Jerry uses a similar pedagogical approach advocated by IB PYP schools around the world and researched in a variety of ways in Harvard’s School of Education Project Zero projects.

Jerry's collaborative approach to teaching, which often involves guest mentors and hands-on projects, fosters a dynamic learning environment where students thrive. From building machines to creating Arduino shields, Jerry encourages students to apply their knowledge to real-world problems, sparking curiosity and driving innovation. He respects children’s curiosity and intentional actions enough to break down these complicated topics and supportive learning skills as students show initiative in their learning.

I am aware of Jerry's vision to develop a holistic STEM education program spanning from preschool to adult education, and I wholeheartedly endorse this endeavor. His passion for education, coupled with his innovative teaching methods, and his ability to develop networks of real-world STEM experts willing to share some brief time to mentor young students makes him the ideal candidate to lead such an initiative.

In conclusion, I cannot think of anyone better suited to develop a STEM application program for K-12 than Dr. Jerry Branson. His dedication to inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders is unmatched, and I am confident that his program will make a profound impact on students' lives and the future of STEM education.

Sincerely, Ellen McCrary-Mayer, Psy.D., M.Ed.