Protecting diverse STEM education in Indy schools
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Chelsey Thompson, left, and Tinya Fisher celebrating at TechPoint's Mira Awards Gala. Photos: Courtesy of IPS/Chelsey Thompson
The Indianapolis tech community has honored two educators who encourage students of all backgrounds to embrace their nerdy sides.
Why it matters: Gender and race disparity in pursuing STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) careers persists, but diversity in the field is critical for representative and responsible advancements.
Driving the news: TechPoint has named William Penn STEM Middle School principal Chelsey Thompson the 2025 Bridge Builder Award winner.
- The award goes to leaders and educators who help underserved students in Indiana access experiential learning that inspires the pursuit of STEM careers.
TechPoint also named Arsenal Technical High School's Tinya Fisher the 2025 Nextech K12 Computer Science Teacher of the Year, which highlights teachers who creatively incorporate technology in their classrooms.
Both women were presented their awards last month during TechPoint's Mira Awards Gala.
By the numbers: The vast majority of STEM workers in the U.S. are white (69%), followed by Asian (13%), Black (9%) and Hispanic (7%), according to a Pew Research Center analysis of Census data.
- Women, meanwhile, account for just 27% of the STEM workforce despite representing more than half of the total college-educated workforce.
What they're saying: "She has cultivated a culture where diversity is celebrated and an accessible high-quality STEM education is a priority," TechPoint youth president and CEO George Giltner said of Thompson. "Her efforts have inspired countless young people to see themselves as innovators and leaders in fields where they have historically been underrepresented, paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future in STEM."
Fisher said she made the switch to computer science after teaching finance and college/career prep for two decades.
- She made the career move after completing a professional development program through Nextech that required her to learn how to develop an app.
- "It was at that moment I realized I loved computer science and wanted to show my students they could learn to code too," Fisher said in a statement.
- Fishers also mentors young women of color and bridges language barriers for English learners by using tech like interpreter earbuds.
The bottom line: Education programs focused on diversity are at risk nationwide, but there are Indianapolis teachers working to make sure every student gets an equal opportunity to shine.