SAIC-Frederick Establishes Scholarship Fund in Honor of Michelle Shearer, National Teacher of the Year

FREDERICK, MD – January 30, 2012: SAIC-Frederick, Inc. has established The Michelle Shearer STEM Fund, in honor of Michelle Shearer, the 61^st National Teacher of the Year. The scholarship fund is one of more than 615 component funds of The Community Foundation of Frederick County. STEM refers to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Scholarships will be provided from the fund to support graduating Frederick County High School seniors who are planning a career in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics related field. The first scholarship will be presented in June 2012, and students may complete the Community Foundation’s Universal Scholarship Application by clicking here. 

Ms. Shearer teaches advanced placement chemistry at Urbana High School, and has more than 14 years teaching experience. She believes that chemistry is for everyone, and has found ways to help students learn, including students who are deaf, and students who have other special needs.

“It has always been my mission as a teacher to make science engaging and accessible to students of all abilities and backgrounds,” said Ms. Shearer. “I am tremendously honored that SAIC-Frederick has established the fund in the spirit of that mission, and I am grateful this scholarship opportunity will enable aspiring scientists to pursue STEM careers.”

SAIC-Frederick is the operations and technical support contractor for the National Cancer Institute in Frederick, and develops and applies advanced technologies to accelerate the delivery of new treatments to patients with cancer and AIDS. The company has a deep commitment to its home community and to science education.

“Our community and our nation have so much to gain from the next generation of talented and motivated young people in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics,” said Dr. David Heimbrook, SAIC-Frederick’s Chief Executive Officer. “Never before have opportunities in the physical and biological sciences been so promising. We are proud to be able to recognize a teacher with the talent and enthusiasm of Michelle Shearer with a lasting contribution to our community’s students. We are really excited about this new scholarship, and we hope that other community organizations and individuals will add their contributions to the fund so it can have an even greater impact on our college-bound students.”

Click here to make a secure, online donation to The Michelle Shearer STEM Fund. Checks made payable to The Community Foundation of Frederick County may be mailed to 312 East Church Street, Frederick, Maryland, 21701, with the name of the specific fund on the memo line. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. For additional information about how the Community Foundation impacts Frederick County, please call 301.695.7660.

Photo caption: Left to right: Dave Bufter, Chief Administrative Officer, SAIC-Frederick; Dr. Theresa Alban, Superintendent, Frederick County Public Schools; Michelle Shearer, Teacher of the Year; Dr. Dave Heimbrook, CEO, SAIC-Frederick; Dr. Robert Broadrup, Community Foundation Trustee.