Michelle Strand

Fellowship Placement: United States House of Representatives
Hometown: Fargo, ND

Michelle Strand is currently teaching Physics in all forms, including AP for students in grades 10-12, at West Fargo High School.  Over her nearly 30-year teaching span, Michelle has taught virtually all science courses in schools ranging from public and parochial high schools to higher education settings. Michelle completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Life Science and Physical Science for Secondary education in 1992 at St. Cloud State University, and her Master’s Degree in Education for Curriculum and Instruction in 2001 from Doane University.  Over the course of her teaching career, Michelle has procured nearly $100,000 in grants to enhance STEM instruction in her classroom.  When she began her career at West Fargo High School there were only 50 students taking physics in the entire West Fargo school district.  Through actively engaged teaching and an applied participatory approach, Michelle has transformed physics with a 500% growth in students in her first four years which included a significant growth for women by increasing enrollment 300% from 19% to 61% of all high school students.  Michelle has been involved in science education at the state and national levels.  She has served on the North Dakota State Science Standards committee and is currently the sole K-12 teacher representative on the K-12 Education Coordination Council for the State of North Dakota; both of which was appointed and is actively participated in by the Governor of North Dakota, Doug Burgum.  Michelle has also been a leader in the national AP Physics Community, serving as an AP Physics Exam Leader at the AP Physics grading, developing audit criteria on several AP Audit Committees, and developing content for the international AP Physics C exams as a co-chair on the AP Physics C Test Development Committee. Throughout the year, she is consistently invited to hold AP Physics teachers domestically and internationally to integrate AP into curriculum. She is an AP Physics Consultant for College Board. As a newly selected Einstein Fellow, Michelle hopes to be part of a national transformation of science education through students across disciplines.