September 17, 2025

Avondale Educator Leads the Way in STEM Innovation

While students enjoyed a day off on Monday, September 15, Avondale staff were hard at work sharpening their skills and exploring new strategies to support student success. Among the day’s standout sessions was one led by Mrs. Vanessa Wentzloff, a high school science teacher whose passion for innovation is making a national impact.

Selected last May as a PhET Fellow—a prestigious national recognition honoring educators who advance inquiry-based STEM instruction in underserved schools—Vanessa brought her expertise to colleagues across the district. The PhET Interactive Simulations Project, founded by Nobel Laureate Carl Wieman at the University of Colorado Boulder, provides free, research-based math and science simulations used by millions of students worldwide. This year’s U.S. PhET Fellowship cohort is focused on expanding access to these powerful tools through the PhET for Schools Network.

During her session, Vanessa showcased how to integrate PhET simulations into lessons, offering hands-on strategies to engage students, make complex concepts accessible, and keep classroom experiences dynamic and exciting. Her leadership highlights the incredible talent within Avondale’s teaching community and our collective commitment to preparing students for a rapidly changing world.

Learn more here: https://www.avondaleschools.org/pub/stories/view/avondale-educator-named-phet-fellow-to-support-stem-innovation

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Avondale Recognized Among Michigan’s Top 40 for Literacy Innovation
Schools: Default District Subject: Curriculum
September 19, 2025

Avondale School District is proud to announce that it has been selected as one of Michigan’s top 40 districts for literacy innovation, earning a $187,500 READ Innovation Grant from the Michigan Department of Education. Out of 115 applicants statewide, Avondale’s innovative approach to improving literacy stands out as a model that can be scaled to benefit students across Michigan.

Avondale Educator Leads the Way in STEM Innovation
Schools: District
September 17, 2025

While students enjoyed a day off on Monday, September 15, Avondale staff were hard at work sharpening their skills and exploring new strategies to support student success. Among the day’s standout sessions was one led by Mrs. Vanessa Wentzloff, a high school science teacher whose passion for innovation is making a national impact.