Nicole Yemothy

Fellowship Placement: U.S. Department of Defense
Hometown: Seneca, SC

Dr. Nicole Yemothy has taught Project Lead the Way Gateway Tech curriculum at R. H. Gettys Middle School for the past seven years. Dr. Yemothy teaches PLTW’s Flight & Space course to 6th grade as well as PLTW’s Medical Detectives course to 7th & 8th grade. Prior to joining the Gettys family, Dr. Yemothy served as the K12 Technology Coordinator at the International School of Panama and Magen David Academy in Central America for five years. She started her teaching career at Mill Creek Middle School of Kent, Washington. Over her 17 years of teaching middle school, Dr. Yemothy has taught STEM, grade level science, remedial math, pre-algebra, algebra, and yearbook. Dr. Yemothy is a graduate of Walden University where she earned a Doctorate of Education in Teacher Leadership and a Master’s of Education in Technology Integration. She completed her teacher education as a post-grad career changer from Pacific Lutheran University of Tacoma, Washington. She completed her Bachelor of Science from Indiana University Bloomington Campus. Dr. Yemothy is currently enrolled in Clemson University’s Teacher Leadership Program where she is focusing on adding STEAM endorsement to her teaching credentials and a second master’s degree; STEAM concentration. Dr. Yemothy is currently one of two science teacher finalists for the Presidential Award of Excellence in Math & Science Teaching representing South Carolina. For the past two year, she has been named as the SC Western Region winner and state finalist for South Carolina STEM Teacher of the Year. Since 2019, Dr. Yemothy has annually been recognized by Project Lead the Way as an Outstanding Educator on a national level. In February 2022, she was one of the Top 10 semi-finalist for the NSTA Shell Science Teacher Award. Most recently, Dr. Yemothy spent 21 days in Peru immersed in the Amazon Rainforest studying biodiversity and exploring historical ruins of Machu Picchu and surrounding areas as a Fund for Teacher Fellow with the Morpho Institute and Explorama. As a constructivist, Dr. Yemothy strongly believes students learn best by experiencing the content. Reading informs and pictures provide imagery. The “action” is where the deeper learning occurs. Action imprints learning and generates questions. While her students are exploring, they use critical thinking and deductive reasoning, collaborating, and making decisions. Her style and approach to teaching allow for students to acquire critical skills they will need in the real world for whatever career path they choose. Middle school students were born to STEAM. Students love to be active! They love to create and use their hands. Students love to see their learning come alive as well as how it relates to their world. Today’s students are not geared to sit at their desks all day doing bookwork and worksheets. Knowing that students are a generation of doers, investigators, designers, and creators motivates Dr. Yemothy to seek out new and innovative ways to provide her students learning experiences. To achieve this focus, she is known in her community for networking and collaborating with volunteers, administration, and local businesses to provide authentic and educational experiences for her students. While Dr. Yemothy is a leader in STEAM education, she is thankful for her community of support, grants, and stakeholders’ support that makes it all possible.