Over 80 East Baton Rouge Parish School System third - through - fifth grade teachers participated in the Baton Rouge Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy. These select teachers spent five days in downtown Baton Rouge during the week of July 8 through July 13, deepening their understanding of mathematics and science content, building expertise in facilitating student learning through problem solving and inquiry, and using links between math and science that support student learning and understanding in the classroom.

Developed in conjunction with the National Science Teachers Association and Math Solutions, the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy is designed to give teachers the opportunity to sharpen their science and math teaching skills, enhance their curricula and discover innovative new ways to inspire and motivate their students to pursue careers in the math and science fields.  

“Our nation is facing a severe shortage of educators in the areas of mathematics and science,” Stan Vanderleeuw, manager of ExxonMobil's Baton Rouge Refinery. “This Academy is one more step in ExxonMobil’s long-term, strategically focused effort to strengthen the quality of education globally and to build the next generation of science-savvy citizens in this country.”

The partnership between ExxonMobil and the East Baton Rouge Parish School System is one of the largest and strongest the school system has and Superintendent Charlotte D. Placide welcomes the chance to work with ExxonMobil on many more projects. “When we were approached by ExxonMobil about bringing this academy to Baton Rouge, we jumped at the chance without hesitation. This is only one of many great partnerships we have with ExxonMobil and we look forward to working with them in the future.”