Stephanie Alderman-Oler is the STEM-Science Program Manager at the Kansas department of Education. In that role she supports K-12 science educators and students across the state in areas of curriculum, assessment, science literacy, and professional development. Stephanie started her journey in science education with a degree in biology and secondary education and then obtained a masters in Family Studies-Youth Development. Currently she is working toward her EdD in Education leadership with an emphasis in JEDI (Justice, Enquiry, and Diverse Identities) at the University of Colorado-Denver proving that she follows her own advice to seek out opportunities to be involved in local, district, state, and national projects as a way to grow as a professional and as a leader.

What’s the best advice anyone has given you as a science leader?

There are so many problems you are going to want to solve, so many things to do. You cannot do them all. Choose 2 or 3 things you want to prioritize and accomplish in the next couple of years and do everything you can to make those things happen.

Fill in the blank. I couldn’t be successful in science leadership without ____. Why?

Having a close group of mentors and colleagues that I know I can reach out to at any time with questions and problems big or small. This is a role that can feel very siloed and it is important to know that you aren't alone in doing the work.

What advice do you have for those pursuing science leadership?

It's ok to not be the expert in the room. Surround yourself with people with different experiences than you, who can provide perspectives different than yours, and who can help you continue to grow.

How do your hobbies outside of science leadership contribute to your professional life?

I like to camp and hike, which has led me to many national and state parks and stumble across new phenomena. The time outdoors on my own also is ideal for reflection, something I think is critical for being a leader.

How do you get to know your colleagues/students and build relationships with them? What questions do you ask or what actions do you take?

I hold a lot of meetings virtually, so when I lead a meeting we almost always start with some questions to check in. Sometimes it is a silly question, sometimes it is a reflective question, but the important thing is that it is intentionally a space to connect before doing the work.

Why did you join NSELA and what are you most looking forward to as a member?

Spencer Martin repeatedly encouraged me to join NSELA and then I had the opportunity to attend some sessions at the conference in Philadelphia last year as a member of CSSS. The opportunity to connect with NSELA members last year is related to what I am most looking forward to as a member -- having a community of practice to learn from and lean on.

What has been a success of your leadership that you are proud of? 

As a state leader I am most proud of the work I do with our cohort of teacher leaders. We have teacher leader consultants, who are classroom teachers that work part time for the state department of education and field educators who work on a contract basis. These classroom teachers have really grown into leaders in our state and have developed some strong support for other teachers.

What has been a challenge for you as a leader?

Competing priorities. My own competing priorities and needing to manage time and energy. But, also navigating the competing priorities in education, in schools, and in policies.

In addition to your leadership role, what other leadership activities are you involved with? 

I have been in my current role for just over a year and that transition has changed what other leadership might look like. Now that I have been in this role long enough to understand what my capacity for additional responsibilities may be, I am starting to look for opportunities to be a part of a science education leadership outside of my role at KSDE.

What advice do you have for science educators who want to step into leadership roles?

Seek out opportunities to be involved in a district, state, or national project. Seek out opportunities to gain perspectives you don't currently have that would be helpful in the type of leadership role you want. There are many types of opportunities to grow into leadership, but if that opportunity is you doing work that you should be paid for -- don't do it for free. Your contributions are valuable and should be valued.

As a lifelong learner, what are you most interested in learning more about?

I am most interested in considering the connections and relationships between parts of a system. As a student I was drawn to ecosystems and environmental science for those complex relationships. This has led to a deep desire to understand the components of our education system, which components are the biggest levers for change, what changes may have unexpected outcomes or influence, and what has the strongest impact on the student experience and outcomes.

Who are some of the leaders in education who have inspired you and how have they inspired you?

I have been inspired by the leaders I have been personally and professionally supported by. Lizette Burks connected me with some of my first opportunities through the state department of education that had a deep impact on my teaching practice. Lizette’s influence inspires me to find opportunities for our Kansas Teachers. Spencer Martin created teacher tiger teams to foster teacher leadership in developing and making district decisions, which has had a lasting impact on how I work with our teacher leaders at the state. Meg Richard leads by building strong relationships, providing unwavering support and encouragement, and invited me to my first leadership role at the state department of education as a teacher leader consultant. She inspires me to push through the challenges and be a voice that is heard. Dr. Sharon Walker consistently models a growth mindset as an educator and leader while remaining steadfastly focused on the most important priority - students as individuals with their own experiences, goals, ideas, and every student brings something meaningful to the classroom. Dr. Walker inspires me to be a stronger advocate that the priority in education has to be the students. The experiences and opportunities they have everyday in our classrooms, whether we are teaching or we are supporting the teachers who are in the classroom, have to drive our decisions and priorities.