The 夜色视频’s NevadaTeach program marked a major milestone this fall with the celebration of its 10th anniversary. On Sept. 12, 2025, faculty, students, alumni and community supporters gathered on the lawn of the William J. Raggio Building to honor the program’s impact on STEM education across the state.
Launched in 2015, NevadaTeach was established to address the critical need for well-prepared STEM educators. The program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to earn both a secondary education degree and a degree in a STEM field within four years, providing a clear pathway into the classroom after graduation. Over the past decade, NevadaTeach has grown into a nationally recognized model for teacher preparation and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Glenn Waddell, Jr., Ph.D., NevadaTeach teaching associate professor, has been with the program since the inception. “In 2014, I was made aware of a program being created in the College of Education & Human Development to better prepare STEM teachers, and I immediately knew I wanted to be part of it. The opportunity to influence future generations of teachers was too exciting to pass up. What I didn't anticipate was the rich community this program developed. The relationships and community that has been built extends far beyond the four years of undergraduate education, and I have enjoyed supporting and mentoring alumni long after they have graduated.”
The anniversary picnic provided an opportunity for the NevadaTeach community to reflect on the program’s journey while enjoying dinner, games and reconnecting with friends and mentors.
Over the years, NevadaTeach has supported hundreds of students in becoming STEM educators, expanded early classroom teaching opportunities and strengthened collaborations with local schools. The program’s unique design bridges the College of Education & Human Development with the College of Science, the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources and the School of Public Health, offering students a powerful interdisciplinary education with a focus on producing highly skilled STEM educators.
From their first year, NevadaTeach students gain real-world experience in local classrooms, designing and delivering STEM lessons alongside mentor teachers. This hands-on approach has engaged six Nevada school districts, 65 schools and more than 250 mentor teachers, directly benefiting students and communities across the state. Nearly two-thirds of NevadaTeach graduates remain in Nevada to teach, advancing the University’s land-grant mission of service and workforce development.
“I am most proud of the incredible community we have built and continue to foster in NevadaTeach. We are privileged to witness so many meaningful ‘firsts’—from students’ first days at the 夜色视频, to their first days in the classroom and eventually to their first years as hired teachers and instructional leaders. Having a front-row seat to their growth and the impact they make in schools is truly the most rewarding part of this work,” Mandi Collins, Ph.D., NevadaTeach master teacher and teaching associate professor said.
Front row, left to right: Mandi Collins, Colly Fischer and Meghan Trowbridge. Back row, left to right: Glenn Waddell, Megan Beckam, Lindsay Diamond, Dean Donald Easton-Brooks, Charmi Mitchell, Sean Casey and Nick Nemsgern.As NevadaTeach looks ahead, the program remains committed to preparing educators who will inspire scientists, mathematicians, engineers and problem-solvers for years to come. The first decade has built a strong foundation, and the next will focus on deepening that impact, ensuring that Nevada’s students continue to benefit from high-quality STEM instruction.
